The National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting was set up more than 45 years ago and is the industry's independent, non profit-making, voluntary regulatory body covering the whole of the United Kingdom. We are not a trade association and do not represent the interests of electrical contractors.

In order to protect users of electricity, the NICEIC endeavours to register as many electrical contractors as possible that are able to comply with its Rules. Every contractor that applies for registration is subjected to detailed assessment by the NICEIC, including the technical standard of their electrical work, before being admitted to the Roll of Approved Contractors.

We employ more than 50 Area Engineers who make annual visits to Approved Contractors to assess their technical capability, and inspect samples of their electrical work.

We have a head office staff of 50 including 14 electrical engineers, and we operate a Technical Helpline (020 7564 2320) where contractors and specifiers can obtain practical advice and guidance.

The NICEIC has wide support from the electrical industry, professional bodies and consumer groups. The National Inspection Council consists of representatives from 75 bodies including the Electricity Association, Public Electricity Distributors, the Institution of Electrical Engineers, the Institution of Incorporated Engineers, the Consumers' Association and many other notable organisations having an interest in electrical safety.

The United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) is recognised by the British Government as the UK body responsible for accrediting the competence of certification and inspection bodies.

UKAS has assessed the NICEIC and concluded that the Council meets the requirements of EN 45011: 1998 - General requirements for bodies operating product certification systems through the operation of its Approved Contractor certification scheme. Consequently, UKAS has granted the NICEIC an Accredited Certificate for its certification activities.

EN 45011 specifies requirements, compliance with which ensures that certification bodies operate third-party certification systems in a competent, consistent and reliable manner. UKAS accreditation has provided formal recognition of the credibility and effectiveness of the enrolment scheme the NICEIC has been operating in the interests of consumer safety for almost 45 years. In effect, the NICEIC has been a certification body throughout that period in all but name.

The initial scope of accreditation is 'Electrical work within the scope of BS 7671 - Requirements for Electrical Installations, other than in hazardous areas'. We are currently developing the criteria and procedures for a robust process for assessing the technical capability of contractors to undertake electrical work in hazardous areas.