Electrical Installation Certificate: What to Include
An EIC is the formal record for new installation work and must connect design, construction, inspection, testing and handover evidence.
The EIC is more than a signature page. It identifies the installation and extent of work, records responsible parties, captures supply and protective-measure details, and attaches schedules that show what was inspected and tested.
This is practical guidance for competent electricians. Assess the actual installation, follow the current edition of BS 7671 and manufacturer instructions, and stop where the work cannot be completed safely.
Key takeaways
- Agree the scope and make the installation safe before starting work.
- Use a controlled sequence rather than relying on a single reading or visual assumption.
- Record the actual result, limitation or action taken while it is still traceable.
- Check the result against the design, protective measures and equipment instructions.
- Issue the appropriate certificate or report when the work is complete.
Scope the work first
The EIC is more than a signature page. It identifies the installation and extent of work, records responsible parties, captures supply and protective-measure details, and attaches schedules that show what was inspected and tested.
Method
Complete the design, construction and inspection/testing sections according to the responsibilities actually held. State the extent precisely, enter accurate supply and earthing information, then attach the inspection and test schedules for the circuits covered.
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Checks and common pitfalls
Do not sign design responsibility without the relevant design evidence, or describe a partial alteration as a complete installation. Verify that protective-device details, circuit references and recorded measurements correspond to the final installed work.
Record and hand over
Give the client the completed EIC, schedules, operating information and any required notification documentation. Retain the signed version and supporting design and test evidence with the project.
Keep the evidence with the job
Record readings, limitations and remedial actions as you work. A clear certificate or report protects the client and makes the next visit easier to manage.
From guidance to action
Frequently asked questions
Can one person sign every part of an EIC?
Yes, where that person genuinely carried the relevant responsibilities and is competent to sign them. The signatures should reflect the actual responsibility, not a convenient template default.
Can I rely on a standard rule of thumb?
No. The installation method, supply characteristics, equipment instructions and the current requirements all affect the correct decision. Use the guide as a workflow, then assess the actual job.
What should be recorded?
Record the scope, results, limitations, observations, remedial work and the certificate or report appropriate to the work carried out.
Related guides
Electrical Certificate Types Explained
A plain guide to the electrical certificates you issue and which job each one belongs to.
Schedule of Test Results Explained
Every column on the schedule of test results, what each reading means, and how to fill it in without gaps.
Initial Verification: The BS 7671 Testing Sequence
The correct dead-then-live testing sequence for initial verification, step by step.
