The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) alongside BSI has initiated a public consultation period for the upcoming Amendment 4 to the BS 7671:2018 Amendment 2 (2022) + Amendment 3 (2024), known as the IET Wiring Regulations.
Amendment 4, set for publication in 2026, aims to align with harmonised standards at the European level. This update follows closely behind the recently published Amendment 3, which is available as a free PDF addition to Amendment 2 on the IET and BSI websites.
To remain current, electrical installers are advised to maintain copies of Amendment 2, referred to as the ‘brown book’, and the recent Amendment 3. The IET will host a live webinar on August 7, 2024 to discuss the proposed changes and their potential impacts.
Comments for the Draft for Public Consultation (DPC) of Amendment 4 can be submitted via BSI’s Standards Development portal within the specified dates.
Mark Coles, Head of Technical Regulations at IET, emphasised the rapid evolution in technology and standardisation, stating, “The days of the ‘evergreen electrician’ are gone. Changes in technology, installation practices, and developments in standardisation are happening so quickly. It’s therefore so important that installers and designers stay well-informed of what’s happening in the industry. The IET is the authority for electrical installations in the UK and ensures that the wiring regulations committee, JPEL/64, carefully considers all necessary updates to the Regulations to ensure they best meet the needs of industry.
“It is intended that this Amendment will include requirements for Stationary Secondary Batteries, low voltage generating sets, power over ethernet, energy efficiency and functional earthing and functional-equipotential-bonding for Information and Communication Technology Equipment and Systems (ICT). Each area of change is a response to fast evolving technologies.”
Dan Palmer, Associate Director of Committees at BSI, added, “As electrification increases in the UK, we can all benefit from supporting high standards of safety. Keeping this critical standard on electrical installations updated is vital to ensure continued safety. We urge people with an interest to look at the suggested changes made in the draft and provide your comments.”
Graham Kenyon, Chair of JPEL/64, also commented, “The members and officers of JPEL/64 invite anyone involved in the industry to contribute to the standard by providing comments on the Draft. We will initially focus on addressing comments related to the intent of technical changes put forward. Comments made on other parts of the standard will be considered in future work of JPEL/64, both for BS 7671 and international work. I extend personal thanks to all the organisations and individuals that have contributed to this Draft so far, both at National and International level.”