Gas Safe register

On 8 September 2008, HSE awarded a 10 year contract to the Capita Group Plc to provide a new registration scheme for gas engineers from 1 April 2009.

The current scheme has been in place for more than 17 years.  During this time the number of domestic gas related fatalities has fallen significantly.  However, a 2006 review of domestic gas safety involving industry stakeholders (including gas engineers and their representatives) and consumer groups identified no room for complacency and a strong case for change.  We have listened to these views in developing a modernised scheme which is set to deliver improvements to gas safety and added value for consumers and gas engineers.

For gas consumers

A commitment to improve gas safety through:

• Raising of awareness of domestic gas safety risks.  Capita is committed to substantially improving current levels of awareness during the term of the contract.  There will be significant investment in a new gas safety brand aimed at becoming the 'hallmark' of gas safety and a new gas safety charity to specifically promote gas safety.  Evidence suggests that less than 50% of consumers understand the risks associated with gas and how to manage them properly. This needs to be improved. 
• Measures to improve public assurance about the competence of registered gas engineers and the safety of gas work.  There will be a new risk based inspection approach aimed at finding and reducing unsafe gas work.  Capita's success in delivering this will be measured on an annual basis.

Gas consumers are key customers for the Register and Capita will provide modern and efficient customer services.   It is committed to improving levels of consumer satisfaction with the services they will be providing. Their success will be independently verified annually.

For gas engineers

• A register that focuses exclusively on gas safety and promoting the competence of registered engineers.  The scheme will be ring-fenced from other commercial activities.  The new gas safety brand will owned by HSE, on behalf of engineers, to ensure it is only associated with gas safety and so that it is safeguarded for the future use of the scheme.
• Gas engineers are key customers for the registration scheme and Capita will focus on delivering improved engineer satisfaction with the way the scheme operates for them; and with having in place a complaints mechanism if things should go wrong.  This will be independently verified annually. There will also be new approaches to inspection which will aim to target unsafe and unregistered gas work, not engineers who are working safely and competently. 

The contract is designed to deliver better value for money for engineers through:

• The introduction of more flexible payment and registration options.  There will also be a review of the competence requirements for registration with a view to simplifying them.
• Agreement to reduce fees and costs in real terms during the period of the contract.  Capita is also committed to reducing administrative burdens on engineers. 

These commitments are set out in a formal 10 year contract with HSE which will deliver strengthened management arrangements and the opportunity for greater longer term investment for the benefit of gas consumers and engineers. There are contractual and financial implications should there be failure to deliver.

• More details about the background to the competition that preceded the award of this contract.

• More about Gas Safe Register
• Gas Safe Register FAQs