BS 7671 Amendment 4 (2026): dates, changes and the new model forms

Amendment 4 to BS 7671:2018 (BS 7671:2018+A4:2026, the "Orange Book") was published on 15 April 2026. The IET and BSI publish BS 7671 together, and both give the same dates for the changeover. This page sets out those dates, the changes the IET itself lists, and what is different on the IET's published model forms. It does not give regulation text or table values, which are only in the paid standard.

The dates

As at 30 September 2026, both editions can still be used. Neither the IET nor BSI page says that work designed during the overlap can be certified to the old edition after 15 October 2026. If a job straddles that date, ask your certification scheme how they want it recorded.

What changed, as the IET summarises it

The IET lists these as the key areas of change:

• A new chapter on stationary secondary batteries, where the purpose is electrical storage and supply of electrical installations.
• A new section on functional earthing and functional equipotential bonding for information and communication technology (ICT) equipment and systems.
• A new section on Power over Ethernet (PoE).
• A major revision of Section 710, Medical Locations, with a new schedule of test results for recording the resistance of supplementary protective equipotential bonding conductors.

The IET describes the amendment as a major update with extensive changes to many areas of the standard. The list above is not the whole of it. For the requirements themselves, read the standard.

What changed on the model forms

The IET publishes model forms for each version as a PDF. Comparing the A2:2022 forms with the A4:2026 forms (dated 15 April 2026) shows these differences in what you fill in.

Electrical Installation Certificate

• The sections are now lettered A to J.
• All three signatories (design, construction, inspection and testing) now record departures against Regulations 120.3, 133.1.2, 133.1.3 and 133.5. On the A2 form, construction and inspection listed only 120.3 and 133.5.
• The earthing arrangement tick boxes now split TN-C-S into PME and PNB.
• The earth electrode entry now reads "Electrode resistance/impedance, RA/Ze (delete as appropriate)".
• The main switch section now asks for device type, breaking capacity, and RCD type (AC, A, F, B or other), and says to attach protective device settings on a continuation sheet where applicable.
• Distribution board details are now "Distribution board/Consumer unit details" and include a line for the RCD.
• The schedule of test results notes that not all AFDDs have a test button.

Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate

• Parts 1 to 5 are now Sections A to E.
• Departures are recorded against Regulations 120.3, 133.1.2, 133.1.3 and 133.5 (previously 120.3, 133.1.3 and 133.5).

Electrical Installation Condition Report

• Section D now states, unless agreed otherwise, that no checks for safety alerts, corrective actions or product recalls for equipment in the installation have been made.
• Section K is split into two lists: C1 and C2 observations, which affect the overall assessment, and C3 and FI observations, which do not.
• FI now reads "Further investigation is advised". The report says C3 and FI items are advisory and do not affect the overall assessment. On the A2 form, FI read "Further investigation required without delay", and the notes for the inspector said an FI item should be marked unsatisfactory in Section E.
• A note says photographic or thermographic images can be attached to support observations.

New form

A Schedule of Supplementary Protective Equipotential Bonding Inspection and Test Results has been added, for medical locations. It records the medical location group number and the continuity of each bonding conductor.

What goes on the certificate

Each form asks you to certify the work "in accordance with BS 7671:2018, amended to (date)". Enter the amendment you actually worked to. Until 15 October 2026 that can be A3:2024 or A4:2026. After that date the IET and BSI treat only A4:2026 as current. Use the A4:2026 forms when you work to A4:2026, because the A2 forms cite A2:2022 in their footnotes.

Landlords in England

The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector and Social Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 define "the electrical safety standards" as the standards for electrical installations in the eighteenth edition of the Wiring Regulations, published by the IET and BSI as BS 7671: 2018 (regulation 2). The definition names BS 7671:2018 and does not name an amendment.

Where a report requires further investigative or remedial work, the landlord must have it done by a qualified person within 28 days, or sooner if the report says so (regulation 3(4)).

This section covers England only. The rules for rented homes in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are not covered here.

Sources

Checked against these on 2026-09-30.

• IET: Ensure you are up to date with BS 7671
• BSI Knowledge: BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 (catalogue entry)
• BSI Knowledge: BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 set
• BSI Knowledge: Get the latest amendment to the UK wiring regulations
• IET: Amendment 4:2026 to BS 7671:2018 publications
• IET: Model Forms for BS 7671
• IET: BS 7671:2018+A4:2026 model forms, all (PDF)
• IET: BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 model forms, all (PDF)
• SI 2020/312, regulation 2 (Interpretation)
• SI 2020/312, regulation 3 (Duties of landlords)

Published 2026-07-25. Corrected and updated 2026-09-30. This article is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Always refer to the relevant standards and consult qualified professionals for definitive requirements.