18th Edition Amendment 3 Available for Draft Comment 

The Institution of Engineering & Technology (IET) and the British Standards Institute (BSI) are inviting feedback on the latest draft amendment to BS7671:2018 + A2:2022. This draft — known as Amendment 3 — is open for industry comment between 8 May and 5 June 2024. 

What’s changing? 

Amendment 3 has been prepared following a BEAMA bulletin and aims to clarify the differences between unidirectional and bidirectional RCDs and circuit breakers. 

The new rules are due for full publication in summer 2024, after which they will be available to download free of charge from the IET and BSI websites. 

How to have your say 

The Draft for Public Consultation (DPC) is available on both the IET and BSI sites, and feedback can be submitted via the BSI Standards Development Portal until 5pm on Wednesday 5 June. 

For sparks who want to understand the importance of safe practice when changes like this roll out, see Accident and Emergency Procedures Lesson 10. 

Training centres such as Electrician Courses Stoke-on-Trent are already helping learners adapt to modern wiring regs — proving how important continuous learning is in this industry. 

At Elec Training, we’ll continue to monitor updates so learners and qualified sparks stay ahead of regulatory change. Visit Elec Training to keep up with the latest course information. 

A new UN Global E-waste Monitor (GEM) 2024 report has shown that electronic waste is growing five times faster than it can be properly recycled. With global resources under pressure and Net Zero d eadlines looming, the gap between waste creation and recycling is becoming a serious issue. 

What counts as e-waste? 

E-waste refers to discarded products with a plug or battery, such as phones, TVs, games consoles, washing machines and laptops. It excludes stand-alone batteries and vehicle-only electrical components. 

The risks 

Many electrical items contain toxic substances including cadmium, lead and mercury. If dumped, these can leach into soil, posing health threats such as cancer, respiratory illness and birth defects. 

At the same time, discarded electronics lock away valuable materials like steel, copper, lithium and gold. Mining these resources has huge environmental costs, so proper recycling is vital. 

The global picture 

In 2022, worldwide e-waste hit 62 million tonnes — up 82% since 2010. Only 22.3% was d ocumented as recycled. By 2030, that figure is forecast to reach 82 million tonnes, with the recycling rate falling to just 20%. 

The UK picture 

A 2023 study by Material Focus found that UK households now hoard an average of 30 unwanted electrical items, a 50% rise in just four years. Meanwhile, 103,000 tonnes of waste electricals were thrown away instead of recycled. 

Despite this, government progress on e-waste has been slow. The Environment Audit Committee (EAC) has raised concerns that most of its 27 recommendations from 2020 remain unimplemented. 

Disposing of e-waste responsibly 

Many people know e-waste shouldn’t go in household bins but aren’t sure what to do instead. This uncertainty leads to h oarding, which keeps valuable resources out of circulation. 

Defra has proposed new measures including: 

• A ban on disposable vapes. 

• Rules requiring producers to take responsibility for collection and treatment. 

• Steps towards a more circular economy in the UK. 

For context on why proper safety procedures are always linked to responsible disposal, see Accident and Emergency Procedures Lesson 11. 

And if you’re planning training that connects sustainability with trade skills, Electrician Courses Redditch offers routes into a career where these issues really matter. 

What is the 18th Edition Amendment 3 draft and when is it open for comment? 

The 18th Edition Amendment 3 draft refers to the Draft for Public Consultation (DPC) for Amendment 3:2024 to BS 7671:2018 (Requirements for Electrical Installations, IET Wiring Regulations), which introduces urgent technical updates for safety and compliance in electrical installations. It was open for public comment from 8 May to 5 June 2024 via the BSI Standards Development portal, with a second consultation phase from 7 August 2024 onward for specific sections. As of September 2025, the amendment is published, but ongoing feedback informs future revisions like Amendment 4 (expected 2026). Elec Training encourages participation to shape standards relevant to NVQ-qualified work. 

What changes does Amendment 3 propose to BS 7671? 

Amendment 3 proposes key updates including a new regulation 530.3.201 on selecting and erecting protection equipment for bidirectional and unidirectional devices (e.g., RCDs and circuit breakers), two new definitions for these devices, and clarifications on their safe use to prevent faults in modern systems like EV chargers. It also addresses remote/local isolation requirements and enhances guidance on electrical safety in residential/commercial settings. These changes aim to improve reliability and reduce risks from emerging tech. Elec Training integrates these into its 18th Edition courses, ensuring electricians update practices for compliance. 

When will Amendment 3 be published and available to download? 

Amendment 3:2024 to BS 7671 was published on 31 July 2024 by the IET and BSI, immediately effective for new designs and available as a free PDF download from the IET website or BSI shop as a “bolt-on” to the core book. Printed versions followed shortly after. In September 2025, it’s fully accessible, with Elec Training providing updated resources for learners transitioning to these standards. 

How can electricians and organisations submit feedback on the draft amendment? 

Electricians and organizations can submit feedback via the BSI Standards Development portal (register at standardsdevelopment.bsigroup.com), where DPCs are hosted—comments for Amendment 3 closed in June/August 2024, but future drafts (e.g., Amendment 4) follow the same process until deadlines like 5pm on closing dates. Email submissions to the IET Secretariat are also accepted for consideration in cycles. Elec Training facilitates group feedback through its networks, urging members to register for timely input on safety-critical updates. 

Why are updates like Amendment 3 important for electricians? 

Updates like Amendment 3 are crucial for electricians to ensure compliance with evolving safety standards, prevent hazards in installations (e.g., arc faults from new devices), maintain ECS Gold Card eligibility, and avoid legal/financial risks under the Electricity at Work Regulations. They reflect tech advances like renewables/EVs, reducing incidents and enhancing professional credibility—non-compliance can lead to fines or insurance voids. Elec Training mandates these in CPD, keeping graduates ahead in the UK’s net-zero transition. 

What is e-waste and which products are included in this category? 

E-waste, or Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), refers to discarded devices with a plug, battery, or electronic components that become obsolete or broken, regulated under UK WEEE laws to promote recycling of hazardous materials. In the UK, it includes large appliances (fridges, washing machines), small appliances (vacuums, toasters), IT/telecom (computers, phones), consumer electronics (TVs, lamps), lighting, tools, toys, medical devices, and monitoring equipment—covering over 50 categories with 1.65 million tonnes generated annually. Elec Training highlights e-waste handling in its courses, advising safe disposal during installs to comply with WEEE obligations. 

Why is e-waste growing faster than it can be recycled? 

E-waste is growing faster than recycling due to exploding demand for short-lifespan electronics (global 62 million tonnes in 2022, up 82% since 2010), rapid innovation (e.g., AI devices), and low collection rates—only 22.3% recycled in 2022, projected to fall to 20% by 2030 amid 5x generation growth vs. recycling efforts. In the UK, 1.65 million tonnes yearly outpaces 30% recycling, driven by consumerism and poor infrastructure. Elec Training notes this gap in sustainability modules, urging electricians to promote reuse in client projects. 

What are the environmental and health risks of improper e-waste disposal? 

Improper e-waste disposal releases toxins like lead, mercury, cadmium, and brominated flame retardants, contaminating soil/water (leaching into groundwater), air (via incineration), and food chains, causing biodiversity loss and climate impacts from methane emissions. Health risks include neurological damage, cancer, respiratory issues, and developmental harm in children from exposure in informal recycling sites—e.g., mercury affects brains, cadmium kidneys. In the UK, landfill dumping exacerbates these, with global informal processing harming millions. Elec Training trains on WEEE compliance to mitigate risks during equipment handling. 

How does the UK compare globally in terms of e-waste generation and recycling? 

The UK generates 24.2kg e-waste per capita annually (1.65 million tonnes total), above the global average of 7.8kg but below high-generators like Norway (28.4kg); recycling lags at 30-44% (household rate), versus EU’s 50%+ and global 22.3%, with only 31% properly treated—ranking mid-tier but improving via WEEE. In 2025, the UK trails leaders like Sweden (85% collection) but leads in policy enforcement. Elec Training uses these stats in eco-training, motivating electricians toward sustainable practices. 

What new rules and proposals are being considered in the UK to tackle e-waste? 

In 2025, new WEEE amendments (effective August 2025) mandate online marketplaces (e.g., Amazon) and vape producers to fund recycling, shifting costs from households/businesses; proposals include extended producer responsibility for all EEE, banning landfill/incineration for certain items, and digital tracking for traceability. The UK aims for 65% collection by 2026, with consultations on right-to-repair and battery passports. Elec Training supports these via courses on compliant disposal, preparing electricians for expanded roles in circular economy initiatives.