Important Developments

We would like to take this opportunity to share a number of important developments relating to the SparkSafe Licence to Practise system.

As part of our ongoing commitment to improving the service and supporting both Clients and licence holders, several key updates are being introduced over the coming months.

Introduction of the 18th Edition 4th Amendment

Amendment 4 to BS 7671:2018, published on 15^th April 2026, introduces several important updates to UK electrical installation standards and becomes mandatory for all new installations designed after 15^th October 2026.

Key changes include:

• New requirements for battery energy storage systems, with enhanced focus on fire safety and installation standards.
• Introduction of guidance for Power over Ethernet (PoE) installations, including cable management and heat protection.
• Updated requirements for functional earthing in ICT systems.
• Revisions to standards for medical locations and associated documentation procedures.
• Additional updates covering AFDDs, cable support in fire conditions, firefighter’s switches, EICR reporting procedures, and energy efficiency requirements.

Importantly, there will be no immediate impact on existing QE licence holders as part of this change. At this time, existing qualifications and licence arrangements for QE holders remain fully recognised.

AQE Licence – Updated Purpose and Criteria

The Assessed Qualified Electrician (AQE) licence category is being updated to strengthen industry recognition and demonstrate competence in Inspection & Testing across the sector.

Due to increasing demand and feedback from across the industry, the AQE licence will be amended to recognise Qualified Electricians (QE) who hold a valid, industry recognised Level 3 qualification that covers both initial and periodic inspection, testing and certification of electrical installations.

Recent changes within the Private Rented Sector (PRS) and evolving Electrical Assessment Specification (EAS) requirements have helped shape these important updates.  This change provides greater flexibility for licence holders while also better reflecting the inspection & testing requirements expected across various projects, client specifications, and compliance frameworks.

Further details on the official roll out and implementation process will be shared soon.

Key Benefits of the Updated AQE Licence

The updated AQE licence will help:

• Clients confidently identify electricians who hold recognised industry qualifications in initial and periodic inspection, testing and certification of electrical installations.
• Main Contractors verify workforce competency more efficiently when meeting project and compliance requirements.
• Householders and Landlords gain greater reassurance that the electrician they appoint is fully qualified and independently assessed and qualified in Inspection & Testing.
• Licence Holders demonstrate enhanced professional credibility and alignment with current industry expectations regarding Inspection & Testing requirements.

New Reporting Tool in Development

We are currently developing a new reporting tool designed to help clients more effectively manage and monitor project activity.  The new reporting tool will further support project data reporting and analysis.

This development has been driven directly by client feedback, and we would like to thank those who have taken the time to share their suggestions and requirements with us.

We remain committed to listening to our clients and continuously improving the SparkSafe platform to better support operational and compliance needs.

Auditing & Compliance Activity

We are currently planning our next cycle of compliance audits which will commence in the next few months.  As part of our continued focus on maintaining high standards of compliance and assurance, SparkSafe will be undertaking a sample auditing strategy based on Clients’ active projects. Where multiple projects are registered, a representative sample of projects will be selected based on factors such as project size, duration, value, and client profile.

The objective of the SparkSafe audit process is to strengthen client engagement with the industry by improving supply chain accountability around the qualifications, skills and experience of electrical workers.

SparkSafe’s compliance auditing service is designed to drive improvement on behalf of industry clients by placing an obligation on main contractors to ensure that only licenced electrical workers are employed on their projects.

The purpose of the SparkSafe audit is threefold.

• To improve quality and raise standards, ensuring only independently assessed and licenced electrical workers are employed on the clients project.
• To protect responsible main contractors and their clients from the harmful effects of extended sub-contract tiering.
• To incentivise Level 3 apprentice recruitment and adult worker upskilling in the UK industry.

Online Training & Support for Client Project Managers

To further support our clients, SparkSafe is also increasing the availability of online training sessions for both new and existing client project managers.

These sessions are designed to help project managers better understand:

• The Licence to Practise process and benefits
• How to effectively use the SparkSafe system
• The compliance benefits linked to workforce composition and project management
• Best practice for managing workforce competence and project records

The training provides practical guidance and helps ensure clients are maximising the full benefits of the SparkSafe platform.

Training is delivered live online and typically lasts one hour. To find out more or reserve a place, contact enquiries@sparksafeltp.co.uk