How to Make Your Business Electrically Compliant: A Practical Checklist
Ensuring electrical compliance isn’t just about avoiding fines—it’s about protecting your team, your premises, and your operations. Whether you manage an office, shop, warehouse, or industrial site, your electrical systems must meet UK legal standards to ensure ongoing safety and efficiency.
This guide is an electrical compliance checklist for your business, helping you identify what needs to be in place and how to stay up to regulations.
Why Electrical Compliance Matters for Your Business
Being electrically compliant means more than having working lights and sockets. It means your systems are regularly tested, safe, and meet all relevant standards under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (Click here to download a copy from the HSE website)
Failing to meet these standards could result in:
Increased risk of fire or electric shock
Legal penalties or enforcement action
Voided insurance cover
Disruption to daily operations
Damage to assets and profit
Following a structured business safety checklist is essential to ensure compliance and peace of mind.
Electrical Compliance Checklist for Businesses
Here’s a practical business safety checklist to help you stay compliant with UK electrical regulations:
✔️ 1. Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)
The foundation of any electrical compliance plan is an up-to-date EICR.
Required at least every 5 years for most commercial properties
Must be carried out by a qualified electrical contractor
Identifies safety issues, damage, and non-compliance with BS 7671
If your EICR shows any C1 (immediate danger) or C2 (potential danger) and FI (Further Investigation - issues which are suspected but could not be confirmed) issues, you must complete repairs without delay. If you need more information on EICRs, checkout our blog here.
✔️ 2. Emergency Lighting Testing
Your electrical compliance checklist must include regular emergency lighting checks:
Perform monthly function tests (‘emergency lighting flick test’) and a yearly full-duration test
Maintain clear logs for audits and insurance
Fix any faults immediately
Emergency lighting is a legal requirement and a vital part of your fire safety system.
✔️ 3. Fire Alarm Maintenance
Is your fire alarm system compliant?
Weekly user tests and professional servicing at least once a year
Ensure it complies with BS 5839-1
Integration with other systems (like lighting and access control) improves response times
Your electrical contractor should include fire alarms as part of ongoing maintenance visits.
✔️ 4. PAT Testing for Portable Appliances
A key part of how to make your business electrically compliant is testing portable appliances:
Test regularly based on usage and risk (e.g., every 6–12 months)
Clearly label tested items with date and result
Keep records for accountability
While not legally required at specific intervals, PAT testing is considered best practice under most business safety checklists.
✔️ 5. RCD Protection and Consumer Unit Safety
Residual Current Devices (RCDs) are vital for preventing electric shocks.
Ensure all circuits that require RCDs are protected
Test RCDs regularly to ensure fast disconnection
Upgrade outdated fuse boards or units that don’t comply with BS 7671
RCD compliance is one of the most overlooked parts of electrical safety for businesses in older premises and it’s arguably the most important.
✔️ 6. Access, Awareness & Emergency Preparedness
Clearly label distribution boards, isolators, and emergency shut-offs
Ensure adequate space around emergency systems such as the fire alarm panel and distribution boards. In the event of an emergency, the last thing you need it to move things to isolate power or sound the alarm
Train staff to respond to electrical faults and emergencies
Ensure no one carries out unqualified or DIY repairs - always consult a reputable electrical contractor
Raising awareness is a simple but crucial part of maintaining a safe working environment.
Need Help With Electrical Compliance?
If you're unsure how to make your business electrically compliant or your business requires some of the above services, the best approach is to partner with trusted professionals.
At Carter’s Electrical Services, we’re experienced electrical contractors supporting commercial clients across Oxfordshire. We help you meet every item on your electrical compliance checklist for businesses, from routine EICRs to tailored planned preventative maintenance plans (PPMs).
We’ll ensure your systems are safe, legal, efficient and fully documented for insurance and audits.
📞 Contact Carter’s Electrical Services today to schedule a compliance inspection or set up a maintenance plan that fits your business needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
For most commercial properties, an EICR should be carried out every 5 years. However, higher-risk environments like industrial sites may require more frequent inspections. If the installer believes it requires testing more frequently, it is perfectly acceptable for them to recommend shorter periods.
-
While not legally required at specific intervals, PAT testing is strongly recommended and often expected by insurers and health & safety auditors. Testing frequency should be based on risk and usage. In our view, portable appliances are some of the most frequently used items in any workplace, and when it comes to electricity, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
-
If an EICR highlights C1 (danger present), C2 (potential danger), or FI (further investigation) issues, you must carry out remedial work as soon as possible to maintain compliance and safety- these will be quoted separately to the EICR.
-
Things like monthly emergency lighting flick tests can be completed by trained staff onsite or an electrical contractor. Only a qualified and competent electrical contractor should conduct inspections, testing, and certification. Look for contractors registered with NICEIC, NAPIT, or a similar accredited body.
-
Use an electrical compliance checklist (like the one in this blog) and schedule regular inspections with a trusted electrical contractor to ensure all systems meet UK safety regulations.