What is a Competent Person?
A 'Competent Person' is a firm that has been adjudged to be sufficiently competent to self-certify that its work complies with the Building Regulations.
A Competent Person firm must be registered with a scheme that has been approved by the Department for Communities and Local Government (formerly known as the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister). Schemes authorised by the DCLG are listed on its website http://www.communities.gov.uk.
A Competent Person is not required to notify a Building Control body of its proposals to carry out electrical installation work before it begins.
However, at completion of the work, a Competent Person must certify that it complies with the Building Regulations by supplying the relevant Building Control body with a Building Regulations Completion Certificate, and to the person ordering the work a duly completed Electrical Installation Certificate.
Do I have to register my firm as a Competent Person?
While compliance with the Building Regulations is compulsory, registration with a Competent Person Scheme is not. Firms carrying out work covered by the Building Regulations may choose to join a scheme if they judge it to be beneficial. Alternatively, they may choose to continue to use a Building Control body.
What does Competent Person registration entail?
If a firm wishes to become a Competent Person, it must first be vetted to ensure it meets the conditions of registration, including the required levels of competence. In the case of Part P schemes, the DCLG has issued guidelines concerning the minimum standard of technical competence required:
- Part P schemes should ensure that electrical work in dwellings is designed, installed, inspected and tested to the standard required by BS 7671;
- Applicants should be assessed to be able to work to these standards;
- This assessment should be carried out as required in the Electrotechnical Assessment Scheme, or equivalent.
For further information on Part P and registering as a Competent Person, see Part P Explained.