One certifies new work. The other reports on existing installations. They look similar on paper, but they serve completely different purposes. This guide explains when to use each, who signs them, what sections are different, and the most common mistakes electricians make when choosing between the two.
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The EICR and EIC are two of the most commonly used electrical certificates in the UK, and they are frequently confused — especially by clients, landlords, and property managers. Despite the similar abbreviations, they serve entirely different purposes and are used at different stages of an installation's life.
The simplest way to understand the difference: an EIC (Electrical Installation Certificate) is issued when new work is completed. An EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) is issued when an existing installation is inspected. One looks forward (certifying new work meets the standard), the other looks back (reporting on the condition of what is already there).
Both documents are defined by BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 (the IET Wiring Regulations, 18th Edition with Amendment 4) and follow the model forms in Appendix 6 of the standard. Both require the person signing to be competent — holding the appropriate qualifications and having sufficient experience for the type of work or inspection being carried out.
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An Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) is the formal document issued upon completion of a new electrical installation or the installation of new circuits. It is required by BS 7671, which states that an EIC shall be provided upon completion of the verification of a new installation or an addition or alteration to an existing installation that includes new circuits.
The EIC is a declaration of compliance. By signing it, the responsible persons are declaring that the work has been designed, constructed, inspected, and tested in accordance with BS 7671. This means any defects or non-compliances must be rectified before the certificate is signed. You cannot issue an EIC with outstanding defects — that would contradict the declaration of compliance.
The EIC has three distinct signature blocks:
On most domestic jobs, one electrician fulfils all three roles and signs in all three places. On larger commercial projects, these roles may be split between different individuals or firms.
An EIC is accompanied by a Schedule of Inspections (visual checks) and a Schedule of Test Results for every circuit, recording continuity, insulation resistance, polarity, earth fault loop impedance, prospective fault current, and RCD operating times.
Elec-Mate has the full EIC form with all three signature blocks, schedule of inspections, and schedule of test results.
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An Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) is the formal document produced following a periodic inspection and testing of an existing electrical installation. It replaced the older Periodic Inspection Report (PIR) when BS 7671:2018 was published. The EICR reports on the condition of the installation as found — it is not a declaration of compliance, but a condition assessment.
The EICR uses observation codes to classify any defects or departures from the standard:
The overall assessment is either Satisfactory (no C1 or C2 codes present) or Unsatisfactory (one or more C1 or C2 codes present). For landlords in England, an unsatisfactory EICR triggers a legal obligation to complete remedial work within 28 days, with penalties of up to 30,000 pounds for non-compliance.
The EICR has a single inspector declaration, with an optional reviewer signature for situations where a more experienced person reviews the report. This is simpler than the EIC's three-signature structure because the EICR is produced by one inspector (or one inspector plus a reviewer), whereas the EIC may involve separate persons for design, construction, and inspection.
Elec-Mate automatically determines whether the EICR is Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory based on the observation codes you enter.
Try it free for 7 daysUnderstanding the structural and practical differences between the EIC and EICR is essential for choosing the right certificate and completing it correctly. Here is a side-by-side comparison.
| Aspect | EIC | EICR |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Certify new work complies with BS 7671 | Report on condition of existing installation |
| When issued | On completion of new installation or new circuits | During periodic inspection of existing installation |
| Signatures | Three: Designer, Constructor, Inspector | One: Inspector (+ optional Reviewer) |
| Observation codes | Not used — defects must be fixed before signing | C1, C2, C3, FI classification codes |
| Overall assessment | N/A — the certificate IS the declaration of compliance | Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory |
| Renewal required | No — issued once for the work | Yes — periodic intervals (5 years rented, 10 years owner-occupied) |
| Legal requirement | BS 7671 — certification on completion | BS 7671 Section 6 + Electrical Safety Standards Regs 2020 for landlords |
| Part P notification | Yes — new circuits in dwellings are notifiable | Not applicable — not new work |
The fundamental distinction is clear: the EIC certifies that new work is compliant. The EICR reports on whether existing work remains in a safe condition. One looks at what has just been done. The other looks at what was done years ago and assesses whether it is still safe.
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Start free trialSeveral situations regularly cause confusion about which certificate to use. Here are the most common scenarios and the correct approach for each.
Replacing a consumer unit on existing circuits is an alteration, not a new installation. Most contractors issue a Minor Works certificate for each circuit (or one per board), though some scheme providers prefer an EIC. It is not an EICR — you are certifying your own work, not reporting on the condition of the existing installation. Check with your registration body for their preferred approach.
If a client asks you to install new circuits and also inspect the existing installation, you need both documents: an EIC for the new circuits and a separate EICR for the periodic inspection of the existing installation. They are two different pieces of work requiring two different certificates.
A full rewire is a new installation. It requires an EIC, not an EICR. Even though the property existed before, you are installing entirely new circuits, which means the EIC is the correct document. Some contractors also carry out an informal assessment of any retained elements (such as the incoming supply), but the certificate for the rewire itself is an EIC.
Landlords often request "an electrical certificate" without specifying which one. In almost every case, what they need is an EICR — the periodic inspection report that satisfies the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020. An EIC is only relevant if new work has been carried out. Always clarify with the client what they actually need.
Use this simple decision flow to determine the correct certificate for the work.
Yes → Issue an EIC. This includes rewires, new builds, extensions with new circuits, new dedicated circuits for showers, cookers, EV chargers, or any work that involves running a new cable from the distribution board with a new protective device.
Yes → Issue a Minor Works certificate. This includes adding sockets to existing rings, extending lighting circuits, and consumer unit replacements (on existing circuits).
Yes → Issue an EICR. This is the periodic inspection and testing of the fixed installation. Required every 5 years for rented properties, every 10 years for owner-occupied, and at the intervals specified in IET Guidance Note 3 for commercial and industrial premises.
Elec-Mate includes both the EIC and EICR forms — plus six other certificate types — in one app. All forms follow the BS 7671 Appendix 6 model form structure and include digital signatures, auto-validation of test results against BS 7671 limits, and professional PDF export.
For the EIC, the app supports all three signature blocks (designer, constructor, inspector), the full schedule of inspections, and the complete schedule of test results. Values are validated against BS 7671 limits as you enter them, and the app flags incomplete fields before you sign off.
For the EICR, the app includes smart observation coding with AI-powered defect classification, automatic overall assessment (the moment a C1 or C2 is added, it flips to Unsatisfactory), and a remedial works estimator that turns every defect into a priced quote. Hand the client the EICR report and a quote for the remedial work before you leave site.
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