Compliance obligation
Typically legally required for a retail business — typically renewing every 5 years.
Status
Typically legally required
How often
Every 5 years
Under
Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
EICR (Fixed Wire Testing) is one of the obligations that typically applies to a retail business in the UK, under Electricity at Work Regulations 1989. It needs renewing every 5 years, and enforcement can follow if it lapses.
The full legislation: Electricity at Work Regulations 1989; HSW Act 1974.
Every 5 years. The legal duty (EAWR 1989 reg.4) is risk-based maintenance, not a fixed statutory interval. Recommended convention: typically every 5 years for commercial premises, more often for higher-risk environments. Remedial work (C1/C2 codes) should be actioned promptly. FOR PRS LANDLORDS the 5-year maximum IS statutory (Electrical Safety Standards Regulations 2020): report to tenants within 28 days / new tenants before occupation / LA within 7 days of request, remedial work within 28 days — LA penalties up to GBP 40,000 (raised from 30,000, 1 May 2026).
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. Insurance may be voided.
Is eicr (fixed wire testing) a legal requirement for a retail business?
EICR (Fixed Wire Testing) typically applies to a retail business under UK law, under Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.
How often does a retail business need eicr (fixed wire testing)?
Every 5 years. The legal duty (EAWR 1989 reg.4) is risk-based maintenance, not a fixed statutory interval.
What's the penalty for not having eicr (fixed wire 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.
Keeval tracks eicr (fixed wire testing) against your actual premises, watches the renewal date, and keeps the certificate inspection-ready — free, for all your sites, no card.
Track it freeEICR (Fixed Wire Testing) also applies to
Other retail 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).