The government is currently reviewing Part P of the building regulations in England and Wales. The review opened on 31st January 2012 and will end on 27th April 2012.
The three month consultation will see the government decide if Part P should be retained and what amendments may be necessary in order to improve the efficiency of Part P.
The Electrical Safety Council (ESC) say there are 36,000 Part P contractors. Of these 85% believe that Part P should be retained with improvements and amendments.
Part P was introduced in 2005 and has since reduced the number of house fires by 17.5% which were caused by mains wiring faults.
The IET has been working with industry and other stakeholders to make the case as retention for Part P with improvements.
Before any decision is made, communities and local government have released a document entitled Part P consultation proposals and this is where you can have your say. Attached to the documents is a response form inviting your views on the efficiency of Part P to date and what you feel should happen to Part P in the future. The link to the document and the response form can be found here: http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/2077837…
The aim is to collate the responses and finalise the regulatory proposals. The deregulatory proposals will come into force in April 2013 with provisions that have a regulatory impact to come into force in October 2013
If you would like to have your say on where you think Part P should go next, then this is your chance to get your voice heard. Responses must be in by 27th April 2012 preferably by email.