Gas Safe Register/HSE published a leaflet on 30^th September, with advice for gas engineers who have been unable to update their ACS qualifications due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

They’ve extended the certification period for many so that they can continue to trade, and released an updated timetable setting out new requirement dates for those whose certification has lapsed over the last few months.

ACS reassessment timetable

Gas Safe Register’s temporary timetable has been put in place to give engineers – and centres – a chance to catch up with certification renewal. It works as follows:

• Those whose ACS certification expired before 1 October 2020 and found themselves unable to book reassessment, have been given an extension of up to six months from the certificate’s expiry date, so that they can arrange for reassessment.
• Those whose ACS qualifications expired on or after 1 October 2020 are required to renew their certification before 31^st March 2021.
• Those whose ACS qualifications expire after 31^st March 2021 will need to renew their qualification by the expiry date shown on the certificate.

Encourage trainees to book

The leaflet advises engineers to book ACS reassessment well in advance as, whilst most assessment centres are up and running again, they are getting booked up quickly due to the backlog.

Assessment centres are expected to operate now, if they can do so safely, and they are required to follow Government advice on good hygiene in order to protect their staff and the engineers attending for re-assessment.

Further details can be found here and any queries addressed directly to Gas Safe Register: enquiries@gassaferegister.co.uk