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BS 7671 Amendment 4: what changes on 15 October
From 15 October 2026 there is one current edition of the UK wiring regulations. Here is what that means in plain English.
Written by SEG, The Specialist Electrical Group, St Albans. Last updated 5 October 2026.
What is happening
BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 was published on 15 April 2026. It came with a six-month transition. On 15 October 2026 the previous version (BS 7671:2018+A2:2022+A3:2024) is withdrawn as a whole, so Amendment 4 becomes the only current standard. It is still the 18th Edition of the Wiring Regulations; no 19th Edition has been announced.
What is new
Amendment 4 adds new chapters on stationary secondary batteries (home and commercial battery storage), power over Ethernet, and functional earthing for ICT equipment. It also revises Section 710 for medical locations and changes how inspection reports classify their findings.
What it means for homeowners
Your existing wiring does not become unsafe because a new amendment is published. What changes is the standard that new work should meet. When you hire an electrician, ask which edition the certificate refers to. After 15 October it should be Amendment 4. If you are adding solar, a battery or an EV charger, this is a good moment to ask. See our homeowners page.
What it means for landlords and housing providers
The biggest practical question is how an EICR is classified. The IET has moved to separate C3 (improvement recommended) and FI (further investigation) from an Unsatisfactory result. However, NICEIC guidance still treats FI as Unsatisfactory, and many landlord and client specifications are written to the old position. Do not assume. Check your own specification and ask your contractor in writing how they will code the report.
Separately, social landlords with tenancies that began before 1 December 2025 need the first EICR on each home completed before 1 November 2026. Our EICR testing page explains what an inspection involves, and our landlords page covers programmes of work.
What to do now
If you have an EICR due, or work being quoted, ask the electrician three things: which edition of BS 7671 the work will be designed to, how they will code any findings, and when your report will be issued. If you would like us to quote, call the office on 0345 3 822 833 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm) or send an enquiry.
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