[ ESC viewpoint: Part P review ]


What’s next for Part P?


Phil Buckle, director general of the Electrical Safety Council (ESC), explains how the charity is leading a joined-up response to the government’s forthcoming review of Part P of the Building Regulations for England and Wales – which concerns electrical safety in dwellings


T


he Electrical Safety Council’s (ESC) core concern is consumer safety. As it stands, Part P provides the only regulatory framework that addresses the safety of electrical installation work in domestic


properties in England and Wales. Since the government announcement of a review of


Part P in December 2010, the ESC has been working with a range of partners to establish an evidence base that will allow the impact and relevance of Part P – for both consumer safety and industry standards – to be assessed. The ESC has established strong links with the Department


for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), which is evaluating any benefits Part P has made, since its introduction in 2005, to improving electrical safety in and around the home. To date, we have submitted ideas and views to Andrew Stunell, the minister for DCLG, on the ‘change agenda’ and forthcoming consultation for the Building Regulations; convened a roundtable on the future of Part P; and established a working group to develop an industry response to the review. In addition to such partnership working, we are also refining our approach to the consultation process, which focuses on safeguarding the interest of consumers.


Consensus The ESC-led roundtable in March this year brought together a diverse group of stakeholders – including


July 2011 ECA Today 51


MONKEY BUSINESS IMAGES / SHUTTERSTOCK


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