HC Deb 15 January 1993 vol 216 cc861-2W
Mr. Page

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether an electrical contractor from another Community country will be required to comply with BS 7671 when carrying out an electrical installation in the United Kingdom after the completion of the single market.

Mr. Baldry

In accordance with treaty obligations United Kingdom regulatory authorities, public purchasers and certain private bodies would not be able to insist on strict compliance with the British standard. Compliance with a specification offering equivalent performance would also be acceptable under present arrangements.

Mr. Page

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment in which other EC states British electrical contractors have to comply with that state's national regulations.

Mr. Baldry

In general the details of regulations applicable to electrical installations are a matter for individual member states. Information on particular regulatory and other requirements applicable to British electrical contractors can best be obtained from the appropriate national authority. Where there is EC legislation—for example, relevant clauses of the workplace directive 89/654/EEC—affecting installations, the requirements of national regulations in all countries should be satisfied by meeting the requirements of the directive.

Mr. Page

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what provisions of United Kingdom legislation govern compliance with BS 7671.

Mr. Baldry

Compliance with BS 7671 is not an express requirement under United Kingdom legislation for electrical safety. However, compliance with the BS may be used as evidence in claiming conformity with certain statutory requirements. In this the role of BS 7671 is essentially the same as that of the "regulations" for electrical installations previously published by the Institution of Electrical Engineers.