BS 7671 Amendment 4 (2026): The Complete Guide for UK Electricians
By LTS Training··Updated 16 September 2026
BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 was published on 15 April 2026. It updates the 18th Edition Wiring Regulations with new requirements for stationary secondary batteries, ICT earthing and bonding, Power over Ethernet, and medical locations.
The transition is just as important as the technical changes: the IET says the previous Brown Book incorporating Amendment 3 remains valid until 15 October 2026, and installers may work to either version during that period.
Key Facts
Amendment 4 publication: 15 April 2026
Transition end: 15 October 2026
Current City & Guilds qualification: 2382-26
2382-26 delivery start: training centres have had to use it since 16 April 2026
Previous 2382-22 registration close: 31 July 2026
Final 2382-22 evolve test: 15 October 2026 for learners already registered
Existing certificates: Amendment 4 does not automatically make an existing 18th Edition certificate expire
Amendment 4 is designated BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 and is the current amendment to the 18th Edition, rather than a new 19th Edition. It consolidates the current requirements in the new publication commonly called the Orange Book.
The IET's current BS 7671 guidance says electrical work should use the current edition and amendments. It also provides a defined transition: the Brown Book incorporating Amendment 3 remains valid until 15 October 2026, so there was no requirement to switch every job on publication day.
What Changes in Amendment 4?
The IET identifies four headline areas.
Stationary Secondary Batteries
Amendment 4 introduces a new chapter covering stationary secondary batteries. This is relevant to the safe design and installation of the battery systems increasingly used alongside renewable generation and other electrical installations.
ICT Functional Earthing and Bonding
New requirements address functional earthing and functional equipotential bonding for information and communications technology (ICT) equipment and systems. This distinguishes functional needs from the protective measures used for electrical safety.
Power over Ethernet
A new section covers Power over Ethernet (PoE), where communications cabling carries both data and electrical power. The requirements reflect the growing use of PoE for equipment such as network devices, security systems and building controls.
Medical Locations
Section 710 for medical locations has been substantially revised. The IET also highlights a separate schedule of test results for recording the testing of medical-location installations.
These are the changes identified in the IET's public summary. Designers and installers should use the published standard itself for the complete requirements rather than relying on a condensed article.
What Is the Transition Timeline?
Date
What changes
15 April 2026
BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 published
16 April 2026
City & Guilds centres required to use the new 2382-26 qualification for new delivery
31 July 2026
Registration for the previous City & Guilds 2382-22 qualification closes
15 October 2026
Brown Book incorporating Amendment 3 remains valid through this date; final 2382-22 evolve test date for learners who were registered in time
16 October 2026
The transition has ended for new designs; check the applicable standard for work designed earlier
The wiring-regulations transition and the qualification transition are related but not identical. Installers may use either edition of BS 7671 through 15 October, but City & Guilds requires centres to use 2382-26 for new delivery from 16 April. The later 2382-22 test deadline protects learners who were already registered; it is not a free choice between qualifications for every new learner throughout the six-month period.
NICEIC explains that an installation designed before 15 October 2026 can still be completed to the previous standard afterwards. The design date and applicable project requirements matter; do not treat the publication date as a blanket requirement to redesign existing work.
What Does This Mean for Your Qualification?
If You Already Hold an 18th Edition Certificate
TESP confirms that holders of currently recognised 18th Edition qualifications are not required to take the replacement qualification solely because of Amendment 4. NICEIC also distinguishes current knowledge from retaking a qualification: existing qualified supervisors need to understand the relevant changes and undertake appropriate continuing professional development (CPD).
Your practical responsibility is to understand and apply the version of BS 7671 relevant to your work. An employer, certification body, client or card scheme may ask for particular evidence of current knowledge, so check that requirement before paying for another qualification.
There is no universal rule in the official sources cited here requiring every existing certificate holder to take a one-day refresher.
If You Need the Current City & Guilds Qualification
The current qualification is City & Guilds 2382-26, covering BS 7671:2018+A4:2026. LTS offers a three-day classroom 18th Edition course with current price, dates and assessment details on the course page.
If You Were Already Registered for 2382-22
City & Guilds closed registration for 2382-22 on 31 July 2026 and gives registered learners until 15 October 2026 to take the final evolve test. Confirm your registration and assessment date directly with your training centre.
If You Are Applying for or Renewing an ECS Gold Card
Official ECS guidance explains that the JIB and ECS recognise an 18th Edition qualification as evidence that relevant cardholders are up to date with BS 7671. That page does not state that Amendment 4 automatically cancels an existing certificate or card.
Because card criteria can be updated separately from BS 7671, check your own application or renewal requirement with ECS or the JIB. The LTS Gold Card package includes the current 2382-26 qualification for learners completing the full pathway.
Who Needs to Know the Changes?
Anyone whose work depends on BS 7671 should understand the version applicable to the project, including:
electrical designers and installers;
people carrying out initial verification or periodic inspection and testing;
Qualified Supervisors and other people responsible for technical compliance;
employers managing an electrical workforce; and
learners preparing for the current 2382-26 qualification.
Knowing Amendment 4 is not the same as every person needing to sit a new exam. The evidence required depends on the person's role and the rules set by their employer, certification body, client or card scheme.
How to Prepare
Identify the version used on current projects — record whether the work is designed and certified to Amendment 3 or Amendment 4 during the transition.
Obtain the current standard — use BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 for the complete requirements.
Review the four headline change areas — batteries, ICT earthing and bonding, PoE and medical locations.
Check external requirements — ask your employer, certification body or card scheme what evidence it expects.
Choose training against a real gap — take 2382-26 if you need the current qualification, rather than assuming every existing certificate holder must resit.
If you need the current City & Guilds qualification, review the LTS 18th Edition 2382-26 course. If you are unsure whether your role, scheme or card application requires a new assessment, book a free consultation and verify the external requirement before enrolling.
LTS is a City & Guilds accredited training centre in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire.
Sources reviewed 16 September 2026. BS 7671, qualification and card-scheme requirements can change; check the responsible body before acting.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Amendment 4 was published on 15 April 2026. The IET says the Brown Book incorporating Amendment 3 remains valid until 15 October 2026, and installers may work to either version during that transition period.
Not automatically. Publication of Amendment 4 does not by itself make an existing 18th Edition certificate expire. You do need current knowledge for the work you undertake, and your employer, certification body or card scheme may set its own evidence requirements.
City & Guilds 2382-26 covers BS 7671:2018+A4:2026. Centres have had to use it for new delivery since 16 April 2026. Registration for the previous 2382-22 closed on 31 July 2026, while learners already registered can take its final evolve test up to 15 October 2026.
No A4-specific automatic invalidation is stated in the official ECS guidance cited here. ECS requires recognised BS 7671 qualification evidence for relevant cardholders, so applicants and renewing cardholders should check their current requirement directly with ECS or the JIB.
The IET highlights a new chapter for stationary secondary batteries, new functional-earthing and equipotential-bonding requirements for ICT, a new Power over Ethernet section, and a major revision of Section 710 for medical locations.
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