ECS 2027 Revalidation – Progress, or Just Another Layer of Red Tape?

From January 2027, those working at operative level or above will face stricter requirements to renew their Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) cards. The changes, part of wider post-Grenfell reforms in the construction and building services sector, are designed to “strengthen safety and competence.”

Sounds good on paper. But will it actually work in practice – especially when fake ECS cards are still circulating in worrying numbers?

Let’s break it down.

The Headlines:

From 2027, ECS cardholders must either:

• Complete a recognised qualification in their trade area within the previous 5 years,
  or

• Pass a role-specific technical assessment, tailored to their field – e.g., BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regs), FESS (Fire and Security), or LV Cabling and Jointing.

It’s all part of a broader push for individual accountability, backed by the Industry Competence Committee (ICC) and the Building Safety Regulator, who’ve been tasked with driving up standards across the board.

More than 1000 industry organisations have been involved in shaping these reforms – and, on paper at least, that’s a positive sign of industry-wide buy-in.

The Good: Raising the Bar (In Theory)

The central idea behind the new ECS rules is pretty unarguable: competence isn’t static. With fast-moving changes to safety standards, materials, and installation practices, keeping your qualifications up to date makes sense. The ECS wants to make sure that anyone holding a card is genuinely capable and current – not someone who passed a test 15 years ago and hasn’t looked at the regs since.

There’s also an effort here to push CPD (Continuing Professional Development) into the mainstream. That’s long overdue in a trade where too many still see formal learning as something you only do when you're an apprentice.

The Bad: More Bureaucracy, More Burden

But while the goals are worthy, the practical reality is less straightforward.

Many cardholders – particularly sole traders or older, highly experienced electricians – may view this as yet another hoop to jump through. ECS claims that for most, “nothing additional” will be needed. But how many know if their last qualification was within the magic 5-year window? And what if you don’t remember until you’re halfway through your card renewal?

Throw in the cost of refresher courses, time off work, and online assessments, and what sounds like a quick box-tick might become a real logistical and financial pain.

The Elephant in the Room: Fake ECS Cards

Here’s the part that ECS hasn’t addressed loudly enough: there is still a major problem with counterfeit ECS cards being used on UK sites.

While genuine cardholders are being told to prove their worth every five years, rogue operatives with fake or doctored ECS cards continue to slip through the net – often unchecked on fast-moving construction projects. These aren’t isolated incidents. Reports of poor-quality fakes, cloned data, and even bought-in-bulk counterfeits are increasing.

So, the question has to be asked: What’s the point of revalidating competent professionals if unqualified chancers can still blag their way onto site with a knock-off?

Until ECS and industry bodies put serious resource into identifying, exposing and eliminating counterfeit cards, this new revalidation model feels like it's only punishing the compliant – while the real threat remains untouched.

ECS is calling this a “cultural shift”, saying that proof of competence must become “a living, evolving standard.” That’s a noble ambition – and it’s true that the industry can’t afford to stand still when it comes to safety.

But culture change doesn’t come from burdening the already competent, while ignoring the ways in which the system is actively being undermined.

Real cultural change means:

• Cracking down on fraudulent cards,

• Supporting ongoing learning with accessible, affordable CPD,

• And making sure that revalidation actually improves safety – rather than just looking good on a flowchart.

What Should You Do?

• If you’ve completed a BS 7671 update or recognised qualification in the last 5 years – you’re probably fine.

• If not, expect a nudge toward online reassessment, or a short course to brush up your knowledge.

• Upload everything to your MyECS profile now – don’t wait until 2027.

Final Thoughts

The ECS 2027 revalidation changes are well-intentioned – no one wants another Grenfell. But unless the counterfeit card issue is tackled head-on, these reforms risk being little more than extra admin for those who are already doing the right thing, while the unqualified continue to operate under the radar.

It’s time for the ECS to pair its standards push with real enforcement and site-level action. Without that, all this talk of competence is just that – talk.