Be aware that there is often a difference between contract requirements and risk. To answer your direct question, and given that they want everything checking every 4 years then the next test date should be 4 years after the last test: - doing that will meet CONTRACT requirements but no necessarily duty of care or even ‘guarantee’ continuing safety. Are they saying that testing MUST be every 4 years or at a maximum period of 4 years? Whatever they say PAT must be based on both Risk and the items in use. For example a laptop PC that frequently has its power supply plugged in and out will have a higher risk of damage to the supply plug, so the frequency of test must be higher. On the other hand a desktop PC that remains constantly plugged in has very little risk of damage so the frequency could (probably) be closer to 4 years. Note that there are no absolute rules because every organisation is different. If in doubt go to the professionals ie The code of practice for in-service inspection and test (COP) (from the IET I think) table 7.1 gives guidance. Back to your question: - It's probably easier to start again (but possibly more costly) but at least you know where you are. Importantly I refer to my earlier comment - is it a maximum of 4 years or actually 4 years - especially important as you will retain responsibility (to an extent) for equipment safety.

Alan, thanks for your reply - the contract requirement is every 4 years, so we would carry out the next PAT test a couple of months before the due date. Some sites PAT testing has now expired according to the records, but not the contract amendment. For the time being, I have put the written contract amendment from the client with PAT test results on site for auditing purposes, but I still have the issue where Portable Appliance stickers are showing out of date. Lawlee45239, thanks for your reply - I do have this in writing, but have not forwarded to the insurance company.

Sorry, but i think the OP is mixing up a Safety Management Issue/Decision on the Clients part with a Commercial Issue on his part. Reading the post he supplies a PAT service to a company who have decided for whatever reason they wish to extend the periodicity between PAT. Covering up a halving of income on the contract (i.e. payed for a test evey 4 years not every 2 years) as a safety issue. By all means express your concerns, allow the client to respond, save the response if you really think you need to then move on and get another contract to fill up the spare time... Jim

The employer informs his employees that any appliance with a date of test <4 years old is OK. Date of next test (if this is on the label) to be ignored. I disagree with Alan A. I doubt that the contractor will retain a responsibility for equipment safety. PAT test is an MOT type test - safe on the day. Presumably the employer is otherwise running a decent system of formal inspections - he may even choose to relabel them himself.