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Archive 2012
NICEIC News Archive 2012
Industry called to Building regs select committee - March
Fuse Wire Recall - February
Fees Frozen - February
Traders find for misuse of NICEIC logo - January
Certification News - January
Free Transfers - January
New Website - January
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Fee News
Fees frozen for NICEIC contractors
In a move that will be welcomed by its 26,000 registered contractors, NICEIC has announced it is freezing all registration fees from April 2012 through to April 2013.
“NICEIC has made this decision in recognition of our customers’ continued support and the business pressures every one of our contractor’s face,” states Emma McCarthy, Chief Executive Officer, NICEIC.
The price freeze is the fourth in five years and comes at a time when contractors are facing tough economic challenges.
“We want to assure our customers that NICEIC is here to help build their businesses,” comments Emma. “Registration with NICEIC marks you out as the best and we provide a range of other services to help our customers at work.”
Contractors registered with NICEIC can also access a range of business critical support services, including technical advice; industry recognised training, industry literature and contractor insurance.
All surpluses from NICEIC fees are passed to the Electrical Safety Council so the charity can carry out its work promoting registered electrical contractors and the importance of electrical safety.
Published 06 February 2012
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Traders fined for misuse of NICEIC logo
Traders prosecuted for using NICEIC logo
Leicester based Deepak Virdi, who traded under the name of R.K Builders, was recently fined a total of £3,015 at Leicester Magistrates Court. He pleaded guilty to four counts of unauthorised use of a trade logo. Among them, two counts of using an NICEIC Approved contractor and NICEIC contractor logo.
Meanwhile, Paul Oldridge, of Veritas Support Services Ltd in Portsmouth, was fined a massive £14,800 at Southampton Magistrates Court for a range of offences relating to false advertising on his company website.
In all Oldridge pleaded guilty to 13 breaches of practice. He was charged in his capacity as a Director of three companies whose websites displayed information relating to the misleading Trade Association claims.
NICEIC’s Head of Customer Relations, Sandra Kerr, said: “We take misuse of our logo very seriously and we welcome the latest prosecutions.
“The NICEIC name is associated with quality and we must protect those contractors who are legitimately registered with us and have the quality of their work assessed on a regular basis.
“We must also send out the message that anyone thinking about misusing our logo will be caught and dealt with appropriately by the courts.”
Last year NICEIC stepped up its fight against firms incorrectly using its logo by setting up a Wall of Shame. Contractors caught falsely claiming to be members will be named and shamed on the NICEIC website and their details passed to Trading Standards.
Anyone who is suspicious of a contractor falsely claiming to be NICEIC registered should check the NICEIC website at www.niceic.com which contains a full list of all those approved contractors registered with NICEIC.
Published 25 January 2012
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Certification News
CITB and NICEIC form new strategic alliance
CITB –ConstructionSkills and the Ascertiva Group have announced their intention to form a strategic alliance between their certification divisions, Cskills Awards and NICEIC, two of the UK’s largest personnel certification bodies.
The alliance will bring certification and support activities together to bring consistency of delivery to assessments in a number of schemes including the Nationally Accredited Certification Scheme (ACS).
Emma McCarthy, Chief Executive Officer of Ascertiva Group said: “This alliance brings a great deal of stability and consistency to personnel certification by the introduction of standardisation, which will ultimately benefit all individuals that need to undergo training or assessment to demonstrate their competence.”
Colin Evans, Business Services Director for CITB- ConstructionSkills went on to say: “We are looking forward to working together, with input from our customers, to deliver a standardised assessment package which will offer solidity and reliability in an ever changing market. This alliance will ensure that we have the best possible training and assessment products available to a wide range of occupations.”
The two organisations will deliver a standardised set of products. Approved training centres will continue to operate under the existing two brands and will continue to be served by their existing certification body staff.
Published 19 January 2012
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Free Transfers
Transfer window open for domestic sparkies
NICEIC is encouraging electricians not to score an own goal and transfer for free from their current scheme provider to NICEIC’s Domestic Installer Scheme (DIS).
NICEIC's Domestic Installer Scheme registers installers to Full Scope or Defined Competence for domestic electrical installation work in accordance with Part P of the Building Regulations.
Paul Collins, Head of NICEIC, said: “NICEIC is the UK’s leading voluntary regulatory body for the electrical contracting industry and a name recognised by householders.
“NICEIC regularly promotes the importance of employing a NICEIC registered contractor to homeowners and runs several campaigns throughout the year which help promote our brand and helps our contractors win more jobs.”
Electricians registered with NICEIC are assessed on a regular basis to ensure the quality and standard of their work conforms to the IET Wiring Regulations BS 7671 and Approved Document P as well as other relevant standards. Once registered with the NICEIC, contractors can also access a range of support services, including technical advice; industry recognised training, industry literature and contractor insurance.
The free transfer service is quick and straightforward. Simply log on to the NICEIC website at www.niceic.com/contractor/join-niceic or call our team direct on 0870 013 0458.
Electricians will need a copy of their registration with a current scheme provider, a copy of their most recent assessment report, and confirmation of public liability insurance (up to £2 million) as well as evidence of relevant qualifications.
NICEIC has been assessing the electrical competence of electricians for over fifty years and currently maintains a roll of over 26,000 registered contractors.
Published 11 January 2012
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New Website
NICEIC launches test equipment website
NICEIC has launched a new website offering contractors Test and Measurement equipment at competitive prices.
The site features a wide range of products and services from leading manufacturers such as Megger, Fluke and Seaward along with a wealth of knowledge to help make your next Test and Measurement purchase easier.
NICEIC is also offering a quality calibration and repair service with a guaranteed return time to ensure your equipment is always ready for work.
For a limited time only NICEIC Test Equipment is offering a 20% discount on NICEIC books when purchasing a Multifunction Installation Tester or Portable Appliance Tester.
For more details and to shop online visit www.niceictestequipment.com
Published 11 January 2012
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Fuse wire recall
Electrical contractors are being urged to cease using 5 amp fuse wire purchased in the last six months from either: B&Q, Wilkinson, Homebase, Makro or Robert Dyas.
The wire has been identified as defective and may result in significant overheating with a potential risk of fire.
Anyone who believes they might have this wire is urged to stop using it immediately and call the Nexus helpline on 01952 238 156 for further advice.
The recall only applies to 5 AMP FUSE WIRE purchased between 1st July 2011 and 31st January 2012. 15 Amp and 30 Amp fuse wire supplied on the same card is not affected and operates as intended.
A notice on www.nexusinds.com includes a number of ‘FAQs’ for consumers and the trade.
Published 08 February 2012
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Industry called to Building Regs Select Committee
NICEIC promote Part P in Government
NICEIC Chief Executive Officer Emma Clancy was among a panel of leading electrical contracting industry figures called in front of the Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG) Select Committee to discuss the case for retaining electrical safety as part of the building regulations.
The government is currently reviewing the Building Regulations, in particular Part P with a view to changing or amending the legislation which covers electrical work carried out around the home. NICEIC believe the regulation should be retained but reformed to ensure tighter enforcement and compliance.
Emma was part of a panel of representatives from the electrical contracting industry who attended the select committee, chaired by MPs. She was joined by Phil Buckle from the Electrical Safety Council, Paul Everall, Chief Executive, Local Authority Building Control, Steve Bratt, Chief Executive Officer, ECA, Chris Town, Director, Residential Landlords Association and Diane Marshall, Group Head of Building Control, NHBC.
The Committee questioned the workings of Competent Persons Schemes, electrical safety and enforcement. The industry urged the government to think carefully about making any amendments which could compromise safety in the home or the business advantages that can be gained by being registered. A recent survey of NICEIC contractors revealed that 85% would prefer to see Part P amended rather than ended.
“Cutting cost and red tape for the contractor is absolutely key when CLG look at amending Part P of the Building Regulations,” explains Emma. “However, electrical safety must not be compromised by the amendments. Our worst fear is that Part P is diluted further so that the regulation becomes so complex those contractors who are registered with a competent person’s scheme and do things properly are not undermined.”
NICEIC’s proposals to CLG on reforming the Building Regulations can be found on its website at www.niceic.com
Published 06 March 2012
