ELECSA Explained
ELECSA is a Competent Persons scheme run by electricians for the electrical industry and insulates the general public from rogue traders and cowboy workmanship. Their mission is to maintain and promote the best industry practice that underlines the integrity of the safety-critical work that their approved contractors carry out on behalf of their customers every day. More than 75% of their contractors are small, independent electrical contractors who form part of the backbone of the UK economy, so it is vital that they gain the confidence and the trust of the UK's 60 million householders whose safety depends upon their quality workmanship.
ELECSA runs one of the fastest growing Competent Persons schemes in the UK and is a significant point of contact for any householder who is planning to undertake major electrical work in their homes or gardens.
Part P Explained
Part P of the Building Regulations came into force in January 2005 to ensure that all electrical work carried out within a dwelling - a home or garden - is carried out safely by a qualified electrician and that building control is notified of this work where necessary. (Consult this list to determine whether your work needs to be notified.) Notification is particularly important when moving house because the compliance certificate is required by the buyers solicitors to show that any electrical work carried out at the house on behalf of the vendor or seller is safe. In other words, failure to comply could have an effect on the future sale of the home and the onus is on the homeowner to ensure the work has been notified.
To help homeowners meet their obligations under the Building Regulations, ELECSA-approved contractors are independently assessed annually to ensure that they are operating to the highest technical and professional standards. Under the 'self-certification' programme, the approved contractor notifies ELECSA of the work carried out and will then issue the building compliance documentation to the homeowner and the Local Authority in keeping with the requirements of Part P. This means that the homeowner does not have to pay the Local Authority for an inspection of the work. Once the homeowner has this documentation it should then be kept safe as it will certainly be required if the property is to be sold.
(Text from Elecsa homepage)