What is the difference between an EIC and an EICR?

An EIC certifies new electrical work at the point of completion and confirms it complies with BS 7671. An EICR reports on the condition of an existing installation at the time of a periodic inspection. You issue an EIC when you install; you produce an EICR when you inspect what someone else, or you years ago, installed.

Do I need an EIC for a new circuit?

Yes. Any new circuit, a new consumer unit, or a full or partial rewire requires an Electrical Installation Certificate. A Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate only covers additions or alterations to an existing circuit and cannot be used for a new circuit.

Who signs an Electrical Installation Certificate?

The EIC has three declarations: design, construction, and inspection and testing. On most domestic jobs one electrician signs all three. The short form of the certificate is used where one person is responsible for everything; the full form allows different people to sign for each part.

Is an EIC the same as a Part P certificate?

No. The EIC is the BS 7671 certificate issued by the electrician. The Building Regulations compliance certificate is issued separately by the competent person scheme (NICEIC, NAPIT and others) or by the local authority after notifiable work in England and Wales. The client should receive both.

How long should an EIC be kept?

There is no statutory retention period for the electrician, but the certificate is part of the installation's record and should be kept for its life. The original goes to the person ordering the work. Most contractors keep a copy for at least the duration of any warranty and their insurer's requirements, and scheme assessors expect to see them.

What is an EIC? Electrical Installation Certificate

An EIC (Electrical Installation Certificate) is the certificate required by BS 7671 Chapter 64 whenever a new installation, a new circuit, a consumer unit replacement or a rewire is completed, confirming that the work has been designed, constructed, inspected and tested in accordance with the Wiring Regulations. It is issued by the electrician who did the work, must be accompanied by a schedule of inspections and a schedule of test results, and is handed to the person who ordered the work.

Key takeaways

An EIC certifies new work; an EICR reports on existing work.
A new circuit always needs an EIC, never a Minor Works Certificate.
The certificate carries three declarations: design, construction, and inspection and testing.
An EIC is incomplete without its schedules of inspection and test results.
In England and Wales, notifiable work also needs a Building Regulations compliance certificate under Part P, which is separate.

What is an EIC in practice?

BS 7671 Chapter 64 requires initial verification of every new installation and every addition or alteration before it is put into service. The EIC is the written record of that verification. It states what was installed, what the supply and earthing arrangements are, what protective measures were used, and confirms with test results that the work is safe to energise.

Appendix 6 provides a short form, for when one person is responsible for design, construction and inspection, and a full form that separates the three declarations so a consultant can sign for design and a contractor for construction.

When is an EIC needed?

Work	Certificate
New installation or full rewire	EIC
New circuit (for example a cooker, shower or EV charger circuit)	EIC
Consumer unit or distribution board replacement	EIC
Addition to an existing circuit (extra socket-outlet, extra light)	Minor Works Certificate
Like-for-like replacement of an accessory	Minor Works Certificate
Periodic inspection of an existing installation	EICR

If the work creates a new circuit or a new origin, it is an EIC. Replacing a consumer unit changes the protective devices for every circuit, so it needs an EIC with a full schedule of test results for all circuits.

In England and Wales, much of this work is also notifiable under Part P of the Building Regulations. A registered electrician notifies through their competent person scheme (NICEIC, NAPIT, STROMA and others), which issues the Building Regulations compliance certificate to the client, a separate document from the EIC.

What does an EIC contain?

Client and installation details, including the extent of the work covered and whether it is a new installation, an addition or an alteration.
Supply characteristics: number of phases, nominal voltage and frequency, earthing arrangement (TN-S, TN-C-S or TT), external earth fault loop impedance (Ze) and prospective fault current at the origin.
Particulars of the installation at the origin: means of earthing, main switch rating, earthing conductor and main protective bonding conductor sizes and the services bonded.
Comments on the existing installation where the work is an addition or alteration.
Three declarations for design, construction, and inspection and testing, with any departures from BS 7671 listed.
Next inspection recommendation, typically 10 years for a new domestic installation.
Schedule of inspections and schedule of test results for every circuit installed.

Common mistakes with EICs

Using a Minor Works Certificate for a new circuit. The most common error scheme assessors pick up.
Missing schedules. An EIC with no schedule of test results is a form with signatures on it.
Not measuring Ze and PFC at the origin, copying them from the previous certificate instead.
Leaving the existing-installation comments blank on an addition, especially where main bonding is missing.
Forgetting the Part P notification. The client is entitled to the Building Regulations certificate as well as the EIC.

Related terms

How Certio helps

Certio records this on the BS 7671 model forms without the typing: photograph the board to draft the circuit schedule, point the camera at a Megger MFT-X1 to capture readings, or dictate them. Starter is free for 7 days.

Written by the Certio team. Last checked 14 September 2026.