When CORGI Became Gas Safe

CORGI

CORGI (Council of registered gas installers) was established in 1970 as a direct result of the Ronan Point gas explosion in 1968.

Registration was voluntary up until 1991, when it became mandatory by law. There were 55,000 registered companies, and 110,000 individuals were registered at the height of CORGI.

In 2006, NAPIT applied to the Health and Safety Executive government watchdog to operate as a rival scheme. However, to avoid confusion in the industry, the HSE turned the application down.

The HSE felt that having more than one registration body would lead to mixed messages and confusing guidelines.

Originally established with a focus on gas, CORGI also ran schemes for plumbing, electrics and ventilation.

Over time, CORGI fell out of favour. Engineers felt it became a financial burden and they weren’t fit for purpose. In addition, individuals and businesses alike believed CORGI didn’t do enough to stop unregistered installers from working. Other controversies include selling customer and installer data for financial gain.

Gas Safe

As a result, in April 2009,  Gas Safe replaced CORGI as the UK’s official gas safety regulatory body. In addition, gas Safe became the officiation regulatory body for Northern Ireland and Guernsey in April 2010.

The CORGI gas registration scheme came to an end due to a review of gas safety in 2006. The review led to a new gas registration scheme, and registered CORGI engineers transferred to the new scheme.

CORGI Services Limited is the fund-raising arm of CO Research Trust (formally known as The Gas Safety Trust) – a registered charity established in 2005, focusing on research into Carbon Monoxide poisoning.

Following this, the Gas Safe Register became responsible for gas safety in the UK. CORGI previously represented safety across several sectors such as gas, electricity and plumbing. However, after April 2009, only boiler engineers with an official gas safe register membership card could legally work on heating systems.

Gas Safe Engineers

Any engineers carrying out gas work under the CORGI badge may not be gas safe registered. As a result, they will be carrying out work illegally.

Before an engineer completes any work on your property, you must ensure they are gas safe registered.

To do so, request to see their Gas Safe ID. On this, you will find their license number, which you can check via the Gas Safe Register.

On an engineers ID, you will see what gas work an engineer is qualified to undertake. Again, ensure this lines up with the work you’re asking of them.

For more information, take a look at our gas safety tips.

The change of structure of the gas safety systems and policies has focused solely on Gas Safety and hopes to promote greater awareness of gas safety issues in the home.

Since its creation, the Gas Safe Register has launched multiple campaigns and a dedicated Gas Safety Week to promote awareness.

Currently, 13% of UK households don’t have their boilers serviced unless there is an obvious fault – despite encouragement to have it serviced annually. Similarly, many people don’t recognise the symptoms of Carbon Monoxide poisoning, which kills 25 people a year in England and Wales.

Gas Safe Training Courses

Are you looking to become a gas safe gas engineer?

Options Skills are a gas safe registered training provider delivering a full domestic gas training course. The course concludes with ACS initial assessment, allowing trainees to apply to the gas safe register upon competition.