PAT testing & electrical equipment records software
Keep an electrical equipment asset register, log user checks, visual inspections and tests on a risk-based schedule, and track re-inspection reminders — the records that prove electrical equipment is maintained safe.
The law is about safe maintenance — not an annual test
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require electrical equipment that could cause danger to be maintained in a safe condition. They do not specify how, by whom or how often — and HSE is clear that there is no legal requirement for annual PAT testing. The sensible approach is risk-based: a mix of user checks, visual inspections and, where appropriate, testing by a competent person, at a frequency matched to the equipment and its use. Complys records whatever risk-based regime you adopt and keeps it on schedule.
Legal duty — Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 · HSE guidance, "Maintaining portable electric equipment" (annual PAT is not a legal requirement; take a risk-based approach)
Equipment asset register
List every appliance and tool with its location, category and risk level, so you know exactly what you are maintaining.
User checks & visual inspections
Record the routine user checks and visual inspections by trained staff — the first line of the regime — against each item.
Test results
Log tests by a competent person with dates, results and pass/fail, kept against the asset with the full history.
Risk-based schedule
Set re-inspection intervals by equipment type and environment — a site power tool far more often than an office lamp — not a blanket annual date.
Reminders
Every item's next-due date feeds alerts, so re-inspections happen on your schedule and nothing is quietly overlooked.
Audit-ready record
A timestamped register and history you can show a client, an auditor or an insurer to prove equipment is maintained safe.
One register with the rest of your compliance
Electrical equipment records sit alongside your other certificates and assets. Complys keeps them with certificate expiry tracking, property compliance and, for rented homes, the fixed-wiring EICR. On site, it forms part of wider construction compliance. One platform, one live picture of what is due.
PAT testing software — FAQs
Is annual PAT testing a legal requirement?
No. The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require electrical equipment that could cause danger to be maintained in a safe condition, but they do not specify how, by whom or how often — and HSE is explicit that they do not make inspection or testing a legal requirement, nor make it a legal requirement to do it annually. The right approach is risk-based: the frequency depends on the equipment and how it is used. Complys records whatever regime you decide on.
So what does the law actually require?
That electrical equipment which could cause injury is maintained in a safe condition. In practice a sensible regime combines user checks, visual inspections by a trained person, and testing by a competent person where appropriate — more often for a construction power tool, much less often for a lamp in an office. Complys is where that regime and its records live.
What records does PAT testing software keep?
An asset register of the equipment, each item's user checks, visual inspections and any tests with dates and outcomes, the next-due date on a risk-based schedule, and an audit trail. Complys tracks all of this per item and per site, with reminders so re-inspections are not missed and evidence is ready for an auditor, client or insurer.
Does Complys carry out the testing?
No. Complys is the record-keeping and scheduling platform — it does not perform electrical testing. You (or your competent person) carry out the checks and tests; Complys holds the asset register, logs the results, and manages the risk-based re-inspection schedule.
Explore: certificate expiry tracking, EICR tracking, property compliance, construction compliance, and risk assessment software.