The Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999 - now known universally as the Water Regulations - introduced the concept of "Approved Contractor Persons". What this means in practice is that a plumber who can prove, via an assessment, a knowledge of the Regulations, can join an Approved Contractor Person (ACP) scheme. The principal benefit for members of such schemes is that they can self-certify plumbing supply work (domestic, commercial and industrial) that would otherwise have to wait for water company approval before work could commence.

IPHE Approved Contractor Person (ACP) Scheme

The Plumbsure workmanship guarantee is no longer a requirement. The Institute appreciates that many members were perturbed at joining the IPHE ACP scheme due to the Plumbsure requirement. However with this element of the schemes entry criteria removed we hope that many more members will wish to become IPHE Approved Contractor Persons - Water Regulations. The other entry requirements and scheme details remain unchanged, and are as follows:

• the scheme is voluntary
• membership is free
• membership is open to all Institute members on the Register of Plumbers and who are practising as plumbers in business
• the scheme covers England and Wales and is also recognised under the Scottish Water Byelaws 2000
• membership of the scheme is conditional on the applicant having passed a recognised assessment on knowledge of the Water Regulations. Examinations are currently set by City & Guilds (via WTI Training Group) Tel: 01332 253500 and the BPEC Training Tel: 0845 644 6558
• scheme members must hold public/products liability insurance with a minimum indemnity of £2 million
• members of the scheme must undertake a minimum of five hours Water Regulations-related Professional Development (PD) each year
• scheme members will be issued with an identity card bearing their photograph
• provision will be made for exchange of information between members and the scheme's management committee
• the scheme represents, for the first time in 118 years, government recognition of Institute Registered Plumbers
• the scheme will raise standards of plumbing while also raising public confidence in plumbers

We hope that this news will be welcome to members who were previously hesitant about joining and if you require any further information please contact Joanne Morris at IPHE Head Office, Hornchurch direct telephone: 01708 463112 or e-mail joannem@iphe.org.uk;

Application form
The latest ACP application form (PDF: 24Kb / 2 pages)


Certificate of Work Completed
If you require copies of the Certificate of Work Completed forms (contractor/customer/water company) please contact Joanne Morris on 01708 463112 or e-mail joannem@iphe.org.uk