What are the key dates?
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| 15 April 2026 | Amendment 4 published by the IET and BSI. It could be used straight away |
| 15 October 2026 | Amendment 4 became the only current version. BS 7671:2018+A2:2022+A3:2024 and the 2023 corrigendum were withdrawn |
From 15 October 2026, NICEIC says you must issue Amendment 4 certificates for new work started on or after that date, and report EICRs to Amendment 4. Work designed before 15 October can be completed and certified to the edition it was designed against. NICEIC suggests telling the client, checking the contract wording and considering any insurer or licensing requirements.
What’s new in Amendment 4?
These are the main changes, as listed by NICEIC and the ECA:
- Chapter 57 (new): stationary secondary batteries. Covers battery energy storage, a response to the growth in home and commercial storage.
- Section 545 (new): functional earthing and functional bonding for ICT equipment and systems.
- Section 716 (new): Power over Ethernet (PoE). The first time PoE is covered explicitly in BS 7671.
- Section 710: medical locations, a major revision, including a schedule of test results for supplementary protective equipotential bonding conductors.
- PNB earthing included for the first time. Protective neutral bonding will be referenced on the new certificates and forms.
- RDC protective devices introduced for EV charging installations.
- Changes to Part 6 (inspection and testing) and the model forms in Appendix 6, including the EICR.
- Amendment 3:2024 folded into the main book, plus further alignment with CENELEC and IEC standards.
We’ve only listed section numbers that our sources confirm. Check the details against your copy of BS 7671:2018+A4:2026.
What changed on EICRs?
This is the change most sparkies will notice first. Observations are now split into two parts:
| Part | Codes | Affects the overall outcome? |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | C1 (immediate remedial action necessary) and C2 (urgent remedial action necessary) | Yes |
| Part 2 | C3 (improvement recommended) and FI (further investigation advised) | No |
Under Amendment 3, an FI could make a report unsatisfactory. Under Amendment 4 it doesn’t, and the “without delay” wording for FI has been removed. NICEIC recommends explaining this change to clients, as it’s one of the most significant for EICR work.
What changed on certificates and forms?
According to NICEIC:
- Work to Amendment 4 is dated “BS 7671 2026” on the declaration (Amendment 3 was “2024”).
- On Minor Works certificates, end-to-end resistance labels change from L/L, N/N and cpc/cpc to r1-r1, rn-rn and r2-r2.
- For bidirectional devices, certificates record only the device’s British Standard; use the comments box to note it’s bidirectional.
- Both handwritten and electronic forms are still available.
What do I need to know about PNB?
Protective neutral bonding (PNB) is now covered by BS 7671 for the first time. NICEIC notes that, under ENA guidance, PNB can’t be used where there are more than four consumers or any consumer is more than 40 metres from the earth electrode reference. If you’re not sure what earthing system you’ve got, ask the DNO: NICEIC says they must give you this information free of charge.
Did the AFDD rules change?
The wording did. “Higher risk residential buildings” are now high rise residential buildings (HRRBs): residential buildings over 18 metres or more than six storeys (NICEIC says the ground floor counts as a storey). NICEIC confirms the AFDD requirement for these hasn’t been removed. Its current summary of AFDD scope is socket-outlet circuits up to 32 A in care homes, HRRBs, HMOs and purpose-built student accommodation. Thatched buildings come under Regulation 422.4 instead.
How should functional earthing conductors be identified?
NICEIC’s summary of the updated Table 51: functional earthing conductors should preferably be pink along their whole length, and must be identified at the point of termination. Pink sleeving is fine if pink cable isn’t available. Green-and-yellow can’t be used.
What should I do now?
- Get a copy of BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 (IET Shop or a reseller). Scheme members may need to show access to it.
- Switch your certificate software or pads to Amendment 4 forms.
- Brief your clients on the EICR FI change before your next report.
- Do some CPD on the parts that affect your work: battery storage, EV charging, PoE or functional earthing.