Amendment 4 is here: what electricians should be paying closer attention to.

By now, you'll likely be aware that Amendment 4 BS 7671:2018 is here and will be published on 15^th of April, 2026. It can be used immediately from that date, and the current version will remain in place for a six-month transition period before being withdrawn on 15 October 2026. April is the right time for electricians and contractors to focus less on “what’s changed on paper” and more on what they should be paying closer attention to in practice.   

Standards do not change in isolation. They evolve in response to new technologies, changing building use, updated legislation and a better understanding of risk. The IET says Amendment 4 continues that pattern, including updates linked to modern electrical installations and the wider regulatory environment.   

For electricians, the real question is not just “what’s new?” It’s: what does this mean for the decisions we make on site, for the installations we sign off, and for the conversations we have with customers? That is especially relevant where fire safety, housing standards and accountability are concerned.  

In this month’s blog, we look at the key updates electricians and contractors should know about, what Amendment 4 means in practice, and why details such as fire safety, suitability and future-proofing deserves more attention in 2026.

Standards are moving, and so are expectations 

One of the most important things to understand about Amendment 4 is that it’s not just ‘paperwork’ or something that should be seen that way. It introduces new chapters and sections that are evolving alongside modern electrical technology. 

Clients are not only asking for compliance, but also reassurance. They want to know that an installation is suitable for the property, appropriate for the environment, easier to maintain and less likely to create problems later. In practice, that puts more value on electricians who can explain why a particular solution is the right one, rather than simply confirming that it meets the minimum standard. 

Headline areas electricians should know about:  

1. Stationary Secondary Batteries: 

The introduction of a new chapter covering stationary secondary batteries, reflecting on the growth of electrical energy storage systems in installations. This is particularly relevant as battery storage becomes more common in homes, commercial buildings and renewable installations. For electricians, this means payer closer attention to: 

• Integration with wider location 

• Location and siting 

• Long-term suitability and future upgrades 

Standardised installation: provides a clear framework for backup power and advanced energy management systems. 

Safety & compliance: new regulations for siting, protection, and integration help ensure systems are future-ready and safe.  

2. Functional earthing and bonding for ICT systems 

A new section is also introduced on functional earthing and functional equipotential bonding for ICT equipment and systems. More buildings now depend on ICT infrastructure than ever before, including offices, schools, healthcare environments, commercial sites and even modern homes. This section clarifies the difference between protective earthing for safety and functional earthing for correct operation of equipment and systems.  

3. Power over Ethernet – PoE 

The IET has recognised that low-power devices and systems are increasingly being supplied and controlled through data cabling. This section on Power over Ethernet, which is particularly relevant in commercial fit-outs, smart buildings, controls, security systems and certain lighting environments.  

Cable Selection: ensuring data cables can handle the thermal load of carrying power 

Separation: How to safely keep ELV data lines separate from standard 230V circuits 

What electricians should be paying closer attention to in practice:  

1. Context over habit 

One of the biggest practical takeaways from Amendment 4 is that installations need to be considered more contextually.  

A domestic rewire, a rented property, a school, a healthcare environment, an office fit-out and a battery-ready home do not all carry the same expectations, risks or future demands. Yet many electrical decisions still get made from habit rather than context. 

As installations become more varied and more integrated, electricians will benefit from asking better upfront questions: 

• What type of property is this? 

• Who will occupy it? 

• Could this installation need to support future upgrades? 

• Are there technology, safety or maintenance issues that should influence product choice now? 

• Will the installation still make sense when another person inspects or alters it later? 

That is not a direct clause requirement, but it is very much the mindset encouraged by the direction of the standards and the IET’s design-installation-inspection framing. 

2. Details that will be reviewed later 

A good install is not only one that works on the day it is completed. It is one that still makes sense when it is reviewed later. That review may happen: 

• during inspection and testing 

• when a property changes hands 

• when a landlord commissions remedial work 

• when an upgrade such as EV charging, solar or battery storage is added 

• when another electrician has to work on the system 

That is why layout, documentation, product suitability, compatibility and maintainability matter so much. Installations are increasingly being judged not just by whether they operate, but by whether they are understandable, supportable and appropriate over time. 

3. Systems, not just components 

As buildings become smarter and more connected, electricians need to think beyond single products. 

Battery systems, ICT equipment, control systems, PoE, fire detection, safety lighting and wider building infrastructure all reinforce the same point: installations should be considered as systems, not just collections of individual components. That matters commercially too. Clients often do not distinguish between one product failing and the overall installation not being thought through properly. The contractor who understands the bigger picture will often be in a stronger position than the one who only focuses on the fitting being installed that day. 

Fire safety conversations are broader than they used to be: 

Although Amendment 4 is broader than fire safety alone, fire safety remains an important part of the wider conversation.

As Linian highlights, “Amendment 4 reinforces a critical but often overlooked truth: fire safety performance depends on every component in the system.” While a lot of focus naturally goes on alarms, detection and fire-resistant cable, supporting components such as clips, fixings and cable supports also play a crucial role in how an installation performs under fire conditions.

That ties closely to the IET’s discussion around Regulation 521.10.202, which addresses wiring systems not collapsing prematurely in the event of fire and obstructing means of escape or firefighting operations. In practice, that means fire safety is not just about specifying the main products correctly — it’s also about making sure the wider installation, including the supporting accessories, is fit for purpose.

Linian also points to one of the most common mistakes on site: pairing high-performance cabling or life safety systems with standard plastic clips or unsuitable fixings. It’s a small detail, but one that can have a big impact later.

In 2026, conversations around fire safety are no longer limited to alarms or specialist systems alone, they increasingly come down to design judgement, installation detail and long-term defensibility.

What This Means for Contractors Day to Day 

Amendment 4 should encourage contractors to: 

• ask better questions at the start of jobs 

• think more carefully about context and future use 

• pay closer attention to installation details that may affect safety later 

• understand where other standards, such as BS 5839-6, sit alongside BS 7671 

• use training and technical support earlier, not only when problems arise 

That is also where wholesalers and supplier partners should be adding value. Good support now is not just about stock. It is about: 

• technical guidance 

• training 

• helping choose the right solution 

• supporting electricians in making decisions they can stand behind later 

Final Thoughts 

Amendment 4 should be seen as a reminder that the electrical environment continues to evolve, and that electricians need to evolve with it. 

The strongest contractors in 2026 will not simply be the ones who know that Amendment 4 exists. They will be the ones who understand where it matters, what it changes in practice, and how it connects to wider conversations around technology, responsibility, fire safety and building standards. 

If you are working on jobs this month and want support around Amendment 4, fire safety products, alarms and detection, fire-rated cables and accessories, or training opportunities, speak to your local 7 Core branch by getting in touch here.

We will also have the new Amendment 4 Orange Book available to purchase in branch. To pre-order your copy, contact your local branch below.

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