Portable Appliance Testing - Legal Obligations

Legal Obligations

British law (the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 ) requires that all electrical systems (including electrical appliances) are maintained (so far as is reasonably practicable) to prevent danger. A competent person must inspect the installation regularly in any public building or a place that people work; private houses do not need this test. Guidance from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET, published under the IEE brand) and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) suggest initial intervals for combined inspection and testing that range from three months (for construction equipment) to one year for inspection and, in many cases, longer periods for testing (certain types of appliance in schools, hotels, offices and shops).

The inspection of the appliances can largely be carried out in-house in many organisations. This can result in cost savings and more flexibility when PAT testing is carried out.

The European Low Voltage Directive governs the manufacture or importation of electrical appliances. Compliance to this has to be declared and indicated by the display of the CE mark on the product. The responsibility for this lies with the manufacturer or the importer and is policed by the Trading Standards. However, it is important to have a maintenance regime for electrical appliances. The implementation of this is up to employers. The HSE or the local authority is responsible for the policing of this.