Keeval

Compliance obligation

PAT Testing for offices

Typically legally required for an office — typically renewing every year.

Status

Typically legally required

How often

Annual

Under

Electricity at Work Regulations 1989

Is pat testing required for an office?

PAT Testing is one of the obligations that typically applies to an office in the UK, under Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. It needs renewing every year, and enforcement can follow if it lapses.

The full legislation: Electricity at Work Regulations 1989; HSW Act 1974.

How often does an office need it?

Annual. No statutory testing interval — frequency is risk-based (HSE guidance). Annual is a common convention for many commercial environments; lower-risk equipment can be checked less often.

What happens if you don’t?

Enforced under the HSW Act 1974: summary conviction an unlimited fine and/or up to 6 months' imprisonment; on indictment an unlimited fine and/or up to 2 years' imprisonment.

Common questions

Is pat testing a legal requirement for an office?

PAT Testing typically applies to an office under UK law, under Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.

How often does an office need pat testing?

Annual. No statutory testing interval — frequency is risk-based (HSE guidance).

What's the penalty for not having pat testing?

Enforced under the HSW Act 1974: summary conviction an unlimited fine and/or up to 6 months' imprisonment; on indictment an unlimited fine and/or up to 2 years' imprisonment.

Never miss the annual renewal

Keeval tracks pat testing against your actual premises, watches the renewal date, and keeps the certificate inspection-ready — free, for all your sites, no card.

Track it free

PAT Testing also applies to

Other offices obligations

See the full guide →

This page highlights the obligation, frequency and penalties that typically apply to premises like yours in England & Wales — general information to help you act on your duties, not legal advice and not a definitive statement of your position. You remain the duty-holder; take your own professional advice where you need certainty. Keeval is a trading name of Brenkon Holdings Limited (no. 16987530).