I'd be grateful if I could check my understanding, in case I am wrong. I'm aware of the various levels of testing and competence required by the Electricity at Work Regs (e.g. visual checks, combined inspections and testing). In my organisation, we employ a competent contractor to visit each site annually and test each portable item - they then apply a sticker to that item to show it has been tested, and when this is next due. We can then check easily whether an item has missed its inspection. I visited a site yesterday, where our staff work, but the building (and its contractors) are the responsibility of another party. What I discovered is that where there is an item with a lead which can be disconnected from that item (e.g. a radio), the contractor has PAT inspected the cable; but the item itself (the radio) shows an older PAT label. Surely both the item and the cable need to be checked as they can be separated from one another? Similarly, is it acceptable to test and just place a sticker on a cable if that is permanently connected to an item (e.g. a fan), or should the fan also be checked and display a sticker? Many thanks in advance.

That's what I'm asking - there was no sticker on the fan itself, just on the cable - but possibly it is seen as 1 item? My greater concern is where leads can be disconnected from the piece of equipment.

Thanks Ken, that's what I thought, thanks for confirming.