What are the latest Electrical Safety Standards?

Whether you own a home, rent out a property or work with electrics, it’s important to ensure you’re up to speed on the latest electrical safety regulations. A good knowledge and understanding are crucial in keeping people and buildings safe from fires and shocks.

Current standards

The UK currently follows BS 7671, also known as Wiring Regulations. This covers exactly how electrical work should be completed throughout homes, businesses and other buildings. The latest version of this is the 18th Edition or Amendment 2, which came into effect in March 2022, and is the current version today in 2025.

Amendment 2

The main changes brought in with Amendment 2:

1. AFDDs (Arc Fault Detection Devices) - AFDDs were designed to prevent electrical fires and are now mandatory in higher-risk buildings, e.g. care homes, student accommodation and high-rise residential.
2. Consumer units - In domestic settings, consumer units must be made from non-combustible materials (most commonly, metal).
3. Wiring support - Within escape routes, such as hallways or stairs, cables must be supported to prevent collapse in the event of a fire.
4. Prosumer installations - New rules were implemented for buildings that generate their own electricity, e.g. homes with solar panels or battery storage.  
5. RCD protection - Most homes are still required to have RCD protection, which will cut the power quickly if a fault is detected.
   
   

Who needs to follow these rules?

• Electricians
• Homeowners doing any major works
• Landlords
• Business and property managers

Even if you won’t be directly involved in the electrical work, it is important to ensure you’re aware of and are following the rules.

Landlords

For landlords, this extends even further, with additional rules to follow to avoid putting people in danger and risk receiving a sizable fine of up to £30,000. Landlords in England must:

• Get the electrics in their rental property inspected and tested every 5 years
• Give tenants a copy of the Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR)
• Fix any problems found in the report

As of now, there’s no new update - with Amendment 3 expected in the next couple of years. So, for the meantime, Amendment 2 is the one to follow.