EAS changes for Electrical Inspection & Testing – coming 1 October 2026

From 1 October 2026, the Electrotechnical Assessment Specification (EAS) will require clearer, evidenced competence for anyone doing periodic inspection and testing (EICRs) and for new low-carbon work categories (EV, PV, storage, micro wind). If you're working under a CPS or scheme, you'll need to show you have the right qualification(s), experience and CPD – or your scope could be limited. Schemes have also been told they can introduce this early.

What's actually changing?

• Defined competence for periodic inspection & testing: employed persons and qualified supervisors doing this work must hold a qualification listed in the EAS guide and have evidence of doing the work (typically 2 years) plus evidence of CPD.
• Low-carbon categories become "must have" not "nice to have": from Oct 2026, EV charging, solar PV, battery storage and micro wind all become mandatory-qualification areas for CPS-registered businesses.
• Evidence will be checked: employers will be able to ask for your certificate, your experience record, and CPD as proof that you are upto date.
• Phased route in: the October 2024 EAS update set the framework; October 2026 is the date it becomes mandatory.

Further official guidance:

• NICEIC – EAS changes: what you need to know
• ECA – EAS changes to competence requirements for periodic inspection, testing and low-carbon technologies

Why you should sort this before 2026

Waiting until late 2026 risks training course bottlenecks, scheme audits asking for proof you don't yet have, or being blocked from periodic inspection / low-carbon work while you catch up.