Rural News // august 6, 2013
14 news
No more shonky electrical jobs su d es h ki ssu n sudeshk@ruralnews.co.nz
THE DAYS of getting electrical work done without a compliance certificate are over. Legislation introduced last month requires electricians to hand their customers a certificate of compliance or an electrical safety certificate when the job is finished. The Electrical Contractors Association of New Zealand (ECANZ) warns
farmers and homeowners they could face problems insuring or selling properties if they cannot produce a certificate. ECANZ chief executive Neville Simpson says anecdotal evidence suggests a lot of electrical work is being done by unlicensed persons. He says rural dwellers may sometimes find it expensive to call out electricians, preferring to do the work themselves. “The problem is that insurance companies will
knock back claims where compliance certificates are not provided,” he told Rural News. “Also, when selling a property, farmers will be required to produce compliance certificates for all electrical installations.” Simpson says there’s also a serious risk to life and property if electrical work is done by unlicensed people. Electricians have always been required to provide a certificate of compliance or safety cer-
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tificate to customers. But Simpson says there were some ‘grey areas’ that have been cleared. “And now there’s no longer any doubt that an electrical certificate is required for any work.” The changes have not been widely publicised by the Government but it is important that consumers know about them. “Previously an electrical contractor was only required to issue a certificate of compliance for new installations deemed general-risk or high-risk prescribed electrical work. “The new regulations also apply to any lowrisk work – usually maintenance or replacement work on existing properties, and an electrical safety certificate will be required. “Your electrical contractor is legally required to provide you with a certificate of compliance or an electrical safety certifi-
Legislation now requires electricians to hand a certificate of compliance of electrical safety certificate when a job is completed.
cate depending on the risk level of the work, and if they don’t offer you should be asking for one.” Simpson says anyone planning electrical work should ensure the electrician they plan to engage is licensed, before work begins, and keep a copy of the certification once it is completed. @rural_news
$10,000 guarantee ECANZ MASTERELECTRICIANS (ME) branded members issue the organisation’s branded certificate of compliance which also carries a $10,000 workmanship guarantee. Customers not satisfied with a member’s work can ask ECANZ for support in resolving the situation. ECANZ has a membership of 1250 electrical contracting businesses. Members are required to demonstrate and carry a minimum of $5 million public liability insurance to operate under the organisation’s ME scheme.
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HUNDREDS OF #buybritish banners are springing up all over the UK countryside. Launched by farmers and growers, the campaign aims to get the British public to buy more local food. NFU says banners are being erected at or near prime locations so as many people as possible can see them in the hope they will throw their support behind British farming and 200 farmers and growers are backing the scheme. NFU president Peter Kendall says the banner campaign has been
extremely popular with farmers and growers taking up the challenge of urging the public to buy British. “It’s an incredibly simple but effective way of using their land to promote the campaign itself and the good work they do on-farm so they can ensure more British food ends up on more British plates.” The #buybritish campaign has been timed to coincide with the Trust the Red Tractor initiative, a food assurance scheme started by farmers, food producers and retailers.
Richard Cattell, head of marketing and communications for Red Tractor Assurance, says the campaign is an excellent way to get people thinking about where their food comes from. “Now more than ever it’s important to know the food you are buying comes from a trusted source,” he says. “The banner campaign will enable us to tell the British public why it is important to trust the Red Tractor in an eye-catching and memorable way.”
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