Following the Health and Safety Executive’s recent update of its guidance on maintaining portable appliances in low risk environments, changes are also planned to the IETs Code of Practice for In-service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment.

The IET says that the existing 3rd edition will be revised to better reflect the industry and consumer requirements for the safety of electrical equipment and appliances. The main drivers for these changes have been the increased requirement for guidance from more diverse business types and a more focused approach to risk based assessment of the frequency of inspections and tests.

It says that the former will be addressed with a much broader and less restrictive scope, which currently alienates or fails to include the many new and diverse businesses that are becoming more prevalent in today’s society, particularly those enterprises which deal with previously-owned goods, through either outlet shops or online selling.

The change in scope will also address the issue of hired equipment, which may form part of a long-term contract, which would not normally be included in the current scope or which is unclear on what was required.