A big amendment has been introduced to BS 7671:2018 (18th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations), with new chapters and changes to requirements across the publication. These changes will affect electrical professionals across the UK, so let’s look at what is going to change and how you can prepare for them.
In this post, we’ll be answering the all-important questions you might have about 18th Edition Amendment 2, including:
- What is the 18th Edition?
- What is the 18th Edition Amendment 2?
- What are the main changes in Amendment 2?
- When are these changes happening?
- What does this mean for NICEIC Cert Software users?
What is the 18th Edition?
For those unfamiliar with the changes made to the wiring regulations, BS 7671:2018 was introduced back in 2018. The 18th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations brought substantial changes to the electrical installation standards that are to be adhered to by electrical engineers.
The 18th edition is co-published by the IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology) and BSI (British Standards Institution). The regulations set out in BS 7671:2018 detail the national standard for all new electrical installations, additions and alterations in the UK.
What is the 18th Edition Amendment 2?
Amendment 2 (BS 7671:2018+A2:2022) is the first full amendment to the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations. It Includes changes from Amendment 1, released in 2020, as well as additions from the Draft for Public Comment.
The IET and BSI issued the Draft for Public Comment (DPC) for the amendments in 2020, giving individuals in the electrical industry the opportunity to view the proposed changes and provide feedback prior to the final approval.
On 31st July 2024, 18th Edition Amendment 3 was released. Individuals will be required to have both the brown book and the bolt-on PDF to comply.
What Are the Main Changes?
It is recommended to get acquainted with the changes that will be implemented from the amendment early to make sure you are ready when they come into effect.
The content for Amendment 2 was signed off in January 2022 by the IET and BSI. The confirmed 18th Edition Wiring Regulations changes include a requirement for Arc Fault Detection Devices (AFDDs), a new chapter dedicated to Prosumer’s Low Voltage Electrical Installations and more.
For more information on what you need to know, check out the further reading links at the bottom of this post.
When Are These Changes Happening?
The new amendment was published on the 28th of March 2022. Amendment 2 will be in effect immediately, with the earlier version (BS 7671:2018+A1:2020) being withdrawn six months later. Both the brown book (BS 7671:2018+A2:2022) and the Amendment 3 bolt-on will be valid until at least 2026.
What Does This Mean for NICEIC Cert Software Users?
Updated regulations to the 18th edition mean updated 18th edition certificates. Here at Clik, we have been working with the NICEIC to produce and build new certificates to comply with the changes.
Our template mapping tool will also help you easily transfer any templated work created from the outdated 18th edition certificates to the newer ones, so you won’t need to copy or recreate any of your existing templates. Check out our template mapping article to see how the tool works.
Please note, you will need active Clik Cover to be able to use these new certificates in the software when they are released. If you need to renew your Clik Cover, please contact your account manager.
How to Start Using the Amendment 2 Certificates
The updated certificates are available in our NICEIC Cert Software now. All applications can access them, including the Clik Cert Electrical apps and Windows software. We have released the certificate templates via an update, which will then enable you to create the new 18.2 certificates. Make sure you follow the below steps in order to see the new certificates:
- Make sure you are running at least v.1.0.56.10.
- You will also need to run a certificate update by going to Help > Check for Certificate Updates.
- Engineers using Clik Cert Electrical will need to run the latest updates on the iOS and Android stores.
In order to use the full 18th Edition Amendment 2 certificates, make sure your server meets the software requirements.
Further Reading:
- IET: The impact of Amendment 2 of the 18th edition (BS 7671:2018+A2:2022)
- BSI: BS 7671:2018 AMD 2 Requirements for Electrical Installations. IET Wiring Regulations
- ECA: IET announces release of 18th Edition Amendment 2
- BSI: BS 7671:2018 AMD 2