What’s the difference between an EIC and an EICR?

An EIC certifies a new installation or a significant alteration at the point it’s completed. An EICR is a periodic condition report on an installation that’s already in service, used to check it’s still safe.

Do I need an EICR or a VIR?

A VIR is visual-only, with no testing — it’s often used as a quick pre-inspection check. An EICR involves full testing and produces a condition report with C1/C2/C3/FI-coded observations. If a genuine safety assessment is needed, an EICR is the fuller document.

Does emergency lighting apply to a house?

No — BS 5266-1 explicitly excludes individual domestic dwellings. It applies to commercial and industrial premises and to shared areas of residential buildings, such as corridors and stairwells in blocks of flats.

Which fire alarm certificate do I need — BS 5839-6 or BS 5839-1?

BS 5839-6 covers domestic premises with a single combined certificate. BS 5839-1 covers non-domestic premises and involves a fuller Annex G document set across design, installation, commissioning and inspection.

Do I need a separate certificate for a solar PV installation with a battery?

Solar PV and Battery/EESS are recorded as separate certificate types, since they follow different standards — even when the two systems are installed together on the same job.

What if my job doesn’t fit any of these 13 types?

These 13 cover the current UK electrical and renewables certificate types CertSync supports. If you’re unsure which applies to a specific job, the individual certificate pages linked below set out who needs each one and when.

UK electrical certificates explained

Which certificate do you need? All 13 explained

Use an EIC for new work or a significant alteration, a minor works certificate (MEIWC) for a small addition to an existing circuit, and an EICR to report on the condition of an existing installation; fire alarms, emergency lighting, EV chargers, solar PV and other specialist systems each have their own certificate. This guide sorts all 13 types CertSync covers by the job they fit.

Last updated 15 October 2026. Written by the CertSync team and checked against the standards.

The short answer

CertSync supports 13 certificate types across three groups: core BS 7671 documents (EIC, EICR, MEIWC, VIR, Danger Notice), specialist certificates (EVCP, Emergency Lighting, Fire Alarm, PAT), and renewables and other specialist standards (Solar PV, Battery/EESS, Lightning Protection, BS 7909 Temporary Events). The right one depends on the job — new installation, periodic inspection, or a specific system type.

Core BS 7671 certificates

EIC (Electrical Installation Certificate) — for a new installation, or a significant alteration to an existing one, certifying design, construction, inspection and testing at completion.

EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) — a periodic condition report on an existing installation, using the C1, C2, C3 and FI observation codes.

MEIWC (Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate) — for minor additions or alterations that don’t need a full EIC.

VIR (Visual Inspection Report) — a visual-only inspection with no testing, often used ahead of a full EICR.

Danger Notice — a reactive, immediate warning issued when a dangerous condition is found on site.

Specialist certificates

EVCP (Electric Vehicle Charge Point Certificate) — for EV charger installations, covering the earthing assessment and supply checks the IET Code of Practice requires.

Emergency Lighting — for commercial and industrial premises and shared areas of residential buildings; BS 5266-1 does not apply to individual dwellings.

Fire Alarm — BS 5839-6 for a single domestic certificate, or the fuller BS 5839-1 document set for non-domestic systems.

PAT (Portable Appliance Testing) — in-service inspection and testing records for portable appliances.

Renewables and other specialist standards

Solar PV — a commissioning record for grid-connected solar PV installations.

Battery/EESS — a commissioning record for battery energy storage systems, standalone or paired with solar PV.

Lightning Protection — a test and inspection report for structural lightning protection systems.

BS 7909 Temporary Events — a completion certificate for temporary electrical systems at events, with a periodic mode for a re-erected system.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between an EIC and an EICR?: An EIC certifies a new installation or a significant alteration at the point it’s completed. An EICR is a periodic condition report on an installation that’s already in service, used to check it’s still safe.
Do I need an EICR or a VIR?: A VIR is visual-only, with no testing — it’s often used as a quick pre-inspection check. An EICR involves full testing and produces a condition report with C1/C2/C3/FI-coded observations. If a genuine safety assessment is needed, an EICR is the fuller document.
Does emergency lighting apply to a house?: No — BS 5266-1 explicitly excludes individual domestic dwellings. It applies to commercial and industrial premises and to shared areas of residential buildings, such as corridors and stairwells in blocks of flats.
Which fire alarm certificate do I need — BS 5839-6 or BS 5839-1?: BS 5839-6 covers domestic premises with a single combined certificate. BS 5839-1 covers non-domestic premises and involves a fuller Annex G document set across design, installation, commissioning and inspection.
Do I need a separate certificate for a solar PV installation with a battery?: Solar PV and Battery/EESS are recorded as separate certificate types, since they follow different standards — even when the two systems are installed together on the same job.
What if my job doesn’t fit any of these 13 types?: These 13 cover the current UK electrical and renewables certificate types CertSync supports. If you’re unsure which applies to a specific job, the individual certificate pages linked below set out who needs each one and when.

Disclaimer

This guide is general information, not professional advice, and does not replace professional judgement or the current edition of the relevant standard. CertSync does not verify the qualifications of the people using it. The contractor named on a certificate is responsible for what it certifies.

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