Currently, there is no definitive legal requirement for the process of PAT testing. This said however, the government does have regulations that have been put into place to keep businesses and people safe. The UK Health and Safety Executive and insurance companies will require you to perform PAT tests in commercial settings to comply with various health and safety regulations, these include:

Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974
The Electricity at Work Regulations of 1989
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations of 1998
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations of 1999

Portable appliance testing (PAT), sometimes written as PAT testing is the examination of electrical equipment and appliances to ensure that they are in a safe condition.

Portable appliance testing is the visual inspection and testing of business premises to ensure that the appliances are safe to use. It is the legal responsibility of a business owner to ensure electrical safety within their business, a PAT tester will test equipment for many potential faults including insulation resistance, earth continuity, and lead polarity.

As a general rule of thumb, PAT testing is conducted every year. However, this can vary depending on other factors and circumstances such as the location of the equipment, type of equipment and more.

By basic definition, any portable appliance or equipment needs to be tested. Essentially if the equipment uses a flexible wire or cable to connect to a power supply it qualifies as a portable appliance and needs to be checked.This includes anything from extension leads to a vending machine. Wireless appliances such as cordless drills do not require a portable application test, however, their battery chargers that plug into the wall in order to charge the equipment does.

A PAT test will result in a PAT certificate, this doesn’t have a specific expiration date but instead depends on other factors. Portable equipment within Hotels, Offices, and Shops should have a new test every 24 months. Class 1 equipment which includes IT and stationary equipment should have their certificates renewed every 48months.

Under the portable appliance testing (PAT) law all employees, landlords and even anyone who is self-employed is required to ensure their portable electrical appliances are safe and suitable for use.

It is a requirement for all HMO landlords to conduct annual PAT tests on all electrical appliances within the property. Private landlords currently have no obligations to conduct PAT testing within the properties.