Commercial EICR Guide 2025 – Electrical Safety for UK Shops, Offices & Warehouses
🏢 EICR for Commercial Properties: UK Business Guide 2025 (Shops, Offices, Warehouses)
If you run or manage a commercial property in the UK—whether it’s an office, shop, warehouse, café, factory or studio—you are legally responsible for ensuring the electrical installation is safe.
One of the key ways businesses stay compliant in 2025 is through a Commercial Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).
This guide explains everything commercial landlords, employers and property managers need to know, including legal requirements, inspection frequency, what’s checked and common issues found in business premises.
📚 Contents
- 📘 What Is a Commercial EICR?
- 📜 Are EICRs a Legal Requirement for Commercial Premises?
- ⏳ How Often Do Businesses Need an EICR?
- 🧰 What’s Included in a Commercial EICR?
- ⚠️ Common Commercial Electrical Defects
- 💼 Why Businesses Need an EICR in 2025
- 💷 How Much Does a Commercial EICR Cost?
- ❓ Frequently Asked Questions
📘 What Is a Commercial EICR?
A Commercial EICR is a professional inspection of a non-domestic property’s electrical installation. It checks whether the system is:
- safe for employees and the public
- compliant with BS 7671 (18th Edition Wiring Regulations)
- suitable for continued use
The report identifies electrical faults and categorises them using C1, C2, C3 and FI codes.
If you need help understanding the codes, see: EICR Codes Explained (C1, C2, C3 & FI) .
📜 Are EICRs a Legal Requirement for Commercial Premises?
Yes — in practice, all commercial premises must have an EICR.
While there is no single “EICR law”, employers and landlords are legally responsible for electrical safety under:
- Electricity at Work Regulations 1989
- Health and Safety at Work Act 1974
- Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
- Insurance requirements
Almost all insurers require periodic electrical testing. Failure to have a valid EICR may invalidate commercial insurance.
⏳ How Often Do Businesses Need an EICR?
Recommended commercial EICR intervals:
| Commercial Property Type | Recommended EICR Interval |
|---|---|
| Offices | Every 5 years |
| Shops & Retail Units | Every 5 years |
| Restaurants & Cafés | Every 5 years |
| Industrial Units | Every 3 years |
| Factories / Workshops | Every 3 years |
| Public Buildings (schools, churches) | Every 5 years |
For domestic EICR frequency, see the UK guide: How Often Should an EICR Be Done? (UK Guide) .
🧰 What’s Included in a Commercial EICR?
Commercial EICRs are more detailed than domestic ones due to larger installations and specialised equipment.
1️⃣ Visual Inspection
- condition of distribution boards
- signs of overheating
- broken switches/sockets
- exposed wiring
- emergency lighting controls (if applicable)
2️⃣ Dead Testing (Power Off)
- continuity
- insulation resistance
- polarity
3️⃣ Live Testing (Power On)
- RCD/RCBO testing
- earth loop impedance (Zs)
- prospective fault current
4️⃣ Distribution Board Checks
- circuit labelling
- loading balance
- tightness of terminations
- condition of protective devices
Full breakdown of what’s included in EICRs is here: What’s Included in an EICR? (2025 Checklist) .
⚠️ Common Commercial Electrical Defects
From UK inspections, the most common issues found in commercial EICRs include:
- overloaded circuits
- damaged trunking or cable containment
- poor earthing arrangements
- no RCD protection
- incorrect fuse/MCB sizes
- loose connections in distribution boards
- DIY alterations by previous tenants
- heat damage from high-load equipment
To understand what each fault code means, read: EICR Codes Explained (C1, C2, C3 & FI) .
💼 Why Businesses Need an EICR in 2025
- protects staff, customers & visitors
- reduces risk of fire or electric shock
- prevents business disruption
- keeps insurance valid
- meets health & safety obligations
- protects landlords from liability
If your property fails an EICR, see this guide: Why Your EICR Might Fail (And How to Fix It) .
💷 How Much Does a Commercial EICR Cost?
Commercial EICR prices vary depending on:
- size of property
- number of circuits
- complexity of equipment
- access and operating hours
For domestic pricing, see: EICR Cost Guide UK 2025 .
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is a commercial EICR mandatory?
Yes — required under UK health & safety regulations.
Who is responsible for the EICR?
The business owner, employer, or commercial landlord.
How long does a commercial EICR take?
Anywhere from 2 to 6+ hours depending on size.
Can a commercial unit operate with an Unsatisfactory EICR?
No. C1, C2 and FI issues must be rectified immediately.
Does PAT testing replace an EICR?
No. PAT covers portable appliances only.
Whether you manage a shop, office, warehouse or industrial site, a commercial EICR is essential for keeping your premises safe, compliant and fully operational in 2025.