New BS 7671 18th Edition Amendment 4 Is Coming — What Electricians Need to Know (And Where Course Updates Stand)

Luke Corbett
Jan 15
2 min read

The UK electrical industry is on the brink of a major regulatory update. The long-anticipated BS 7671:2018 Amendment 4 (2026) to the IET Wiring Regulations. This update will be the next significant revision to the BS 7671 18th Edition Amendment 4, bringing new technical requirements and guidance to support modern electrical installations and emerging technologies.

📅 Key Dates Electricians Need to Know

Pre-order available now
Expected publication: 15 April 2026
Brown Book withdrawal: 15 October 2026

This means there will be a transition period where both standards exist, but once October 2026 arrives, Amendment 4 will become the benchmark moving forward.

🎓 What About Training and Qualifications?

While the regulations timeline is now clear, awarding bodies — including City & Guilds — have not yet released full details on:

Updated course structures
Amendment 4 top-up or update qualifications
How existing 18th Edition certificates will transition

As with previous amendments, it’s expected that short update courses or CPD-style refreshers will be introduced once Amendment 4 is fully embedded.

⚡ What Should Electricians Do Now?

✔ Stay compliant with the current 18th Edition (Brown Book)

✔ Be aware of the October 2026 deadline

✔ Plan ahead for Amendment 4 updates and training

✔ Avoid delaying qualifications — the existing 18th Edition will still be valid during the transition

🪛 JIB's ECS Gold Card & CPS Schemes

When it comes to updating or renewing your JIB Gold Card, you’ll be expected to hold the latest amendment of BS 7671, not outdated regulations. Industry bodies and CPS schemes such as JIB, NICEIC and NAPIT all place strong emphasis on electricians being fully up to date with current regulations and the correct books.

🔍 Final Thought

The Orange Book doesn’t replace the Brown Book overnight — but it does signal the future direction of the industry. Electricians who prepare early will avoid last-minute pressure and stay competitive as standards evolve.

Make sure you’re ready for the change.