Fair Trading Minister, Linda Burney, today announced a blitz on electricians to check their compliance with electrical safety laws.

Ms Burney said the Office of Fair Trading would be issuing formal notices to 100 electricians randomly selected across NSW, requesting documentation to prove their compliance with the Consumer Safety Electrical Act.

“Fair Trading has strong evidence suggesting that many electrical contractors are not supplying a Certificate of Compliance Electrical Work (CCEW) to consumers and energy supply companies or have been operating without a licence,” Ms Burney said.

“We haven’t seen the level of compliance we anticipated after the introduction of new certification requirements that came into force in January 2007.

“This indicates to Fair Trading that some electricians are not obeying the law.

“Consumers need to be aware that for all electrical work done at their home or business, the electrician must supply them with a CCEW and they must hold an appropriate licence.

“The CCEW certifies that electrical work carried out complies with Australian Standards, that the work done has been done properly, has been tested and is safe for consumers.”

Ms Burney warned electrical contractors of the harsh fines they face if they have completed work that has not been tested and certified.

“Electricians can face fines up to $1,000 for each job and if Fair Trading takes the matter to court, they can face a maximum fine of $500,000.”

Consumers should always check to make sure the electrician is licensed and therefore qualified to undertake electrical work on your home.  To do a licence check, you can phone Fair Trading on 13 32 20 or check Fair Trading’s online register at this website.

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