If a venue, customer or insurer asks for a PAT certificate, first find out exactly what they need. They may want an itemised inspection and test report, evidence for particular equipment, or confirmation that identified faults have been dealt with.
This guide explains how to respond to a request. To see the documents themselves, view our example PAT reports and appliance labels.
The legal duty to maintain workplace electrical equipment does not create a blanket requirement for an annual PAT certificate. HSE explains the distinction. Contracts, insurance terms and particular premises or equipment can introduce additional requirements.
Ask the requester which rule or condition applies, what equipment it covers and how recent the evidence must be. Avoid arranging unnecessary repeat work simply because someone has used the word “certificate”.
| Who is asking? | What to clarify |
|---|---|
| A customer, facilities manager or employer | The equipment in scope, asset identifiers and any outstanding defects. |
| A venue or event organiser | The admission conditions, equipment list, acceptable report date and submission deadline. |
| An insurer or broker | The actual policy wording and evidence needed for that policy. |
| A landlord, managing agent, school or care provider | Who owns and manages the equipment, which records are requested and any site-specific conditions. |
These are examples of requests to clarify, not a claim that every organisation in each group requires the same document. A regulator may examine your maintenance arrangements; a PAT certificate alone does not demonstrate that every electrical-safety duty has been met.
Make sure the report relates to the equipment being used now. A list from another address or an earlier tenant may not cover the items a requester is asking about.
A PAT report concerns the equipment in its agreed scope. An EICR concerns the fixed electrical installation. If the request says “electrical certificate”, clarify whether PAT, EICR or both are required.
Medical devices, production machinery, hard-wired equipment and temporary event installations can need specialist arrangements. Do not assume a routine appliance-testing visit covers them; identify these items before booking.
Keep the original report. If an item was repaired or replaced afterwards, attach the follow-up evidence so the history remains clear. An inaccessible item is not a pass, and a pass does not guarantee future safety.
Ask your broker about the requirements of your policy; do not assume that every insurer requires annual testing or that a certificate guarantees a claim will be paid. Our guide to PAT records and insurance explains the questions to ask.
For supplied appliances in rented accommodation, check the applicable jurisdiction, tenancy and any licence conditions. Our landlord PAT testing page explains the service scope and links to relevant guidance.
Send AiO the request, site postcode, approximate equipment count and deadline. Include any previous report and flag unusual equipment or several addresses. We can then confirm the scope, reporting arrangements and available dates before you book.
Get your PAT testing quote or speak to AiO about the documents you need.
View our example report and appliance labels before you book.