CORGI opposed to HSE proposal to introduce additional gas registration schemes

(07/06/2006)

Gas safety body CORGI has issued a response to the recent announcement that the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has started a consultation exercise to consider the possibility of approving another organisation to run a gas registration scheme alongside it.

'The option of other organisations applying to the HSE to run a gas registration scheme has always been there,' said Tim Ottridge Managing Director of CORGI Gas Registration. 'However, I am surprised and disappointed that the HSE has decided to take this step while in the process of undertaking a wide-ranging review into gas safety, which includes looking at the registration scheme and whether there should be more than one provider' he added.

'Following the Fundamental Review into Gas Safety which was undertaken by the HSE in 2000, 47 recommendations for change were made. One of the recommendations was that there should only be one registration scheme. However, very few of the recommendations were adopted by the HSE. Now we find ourselves in the middle of another Review, and we have been very open and co-operated fully with the consultants undertaking the review, but even while undergoing this process, the HSE has started a further consultation process on a further registration scheme.

'We are committed to any moves that improve gas safety and we are actively engaging in debate of options for change, but we fundamentally believe that consumer safety will be detrimentally affected by the introduction of more than one gas registration scheme.

'For this reason we are vehemently opposed to the introduction of additional gas registration schemes as it will create confusion for gas consumers, make it easier for illegal installers to operate and increase costs for registered installers,' said Ottridge.

'We have consistently met the HSE Criteria and we can demonstrate the positive impact we have made to gas safety standards in the UK including a decrease in Carbon Monoxide fatalities and increased levels of competence.

'However, we can't possibly support an initiative that will be a backward step for gas safety and we feel strongly that it is highly likely that multiple schemes will result in an increase in deaths from Carbon Monoxide poisoning.

'I am very receptive to the registration scheme being benchmarked from a cost point of view but this is an opportunistic bid from a private company trying to gain commercial advantage in the marketplace. It is concerning that, in their statement announcing their intentions, NAPIT make no mention of gas safety but say that the introduction of competition is healthy to the marketplace. It appears they are missing the vital point that this is about consumer safety and continuing the reduction of deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning.'

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