Prosecutions can be obtained against individuals who undertake Restricted Electrical Works (excluding Minor Electrical Works) in a domestic premises while not registered or falsely portray themselves as registered when they were not:
- Except for certain Minor Electrical Works* it is a criminal offence for a non-registered Contractor to carry out electrical work in a domestic premises. The penalties for non-compliance set out in the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) 2006 Act (the 2006 Act) include a fine of up to €50,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 3 years.
- On revocation or withdrawal of Safe Electric registration, the company/sole trader shall immediately cease to issue documentation or literature in print or electronically, displaying the Safe Electric Logo or implying in any way that they continue to be a Registered Electrical Contractor (REC). It is a criminal offence under the 2006 Act, for a person to describe themselves as a REC or in a manner likely to suggest that they are a REC unless they are member of Safe Electric. The penalties for contravention of subsection (25) as set out in the 2006 Act include a fine of up to €50,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 3 years.
(*): Minor Electrical Works generally involve the “like for like” replacement of switches, sockets, lighting fittings, moving light fittings without affecting the circuit, and adding a socket to an existing circuit. The work must be in compliance with the National Wiring Rules.
