How can I check if electrical work in French home conforms?

Reader question: I am concerned about an electrical installation by a local artisan. How can I make sure the work conforms? Do I need a certificate to prove it?

If the local artisan is a qualified electrician, it is likely that the work will comply with regulations. France has a good system of trade schools, and the qualifications are highly regarded.

In addition, there is a certification body for electricians called Qualifelec, which is recommended by the state electricity company EDF. Check their list to see if your local electrician appears on it.

Legally, the rule in France is that the last person to work on an electricity installation is responsible for the entire system, whether they are a qualified electrician or not. 

Contact Bright Avocats to obtain advice in English on legal matters in France.

This means that if an electrician, or anybody else working on the system, sees something that causes concern, they should report it or rectify it.

To check whether your system complies to the standards in place, called NF C 15-100, without hiring an electrician, you could spend around €100 on a diagnostic électrique – the same as that required when selling a house. 

The surveyor will neither carry out any work nor issue a safety certificate, but will point out any risks.

Official safety certificates are only needed for new buildings and are issued by the Comité national pour la sécurité des usagers de l’électricité (Consuel). 

Its sign-off is not needed for renovation work or for old houses, but a voluntary certificate can be issued for €144.67 online. 

You will need to fill out a detailed form before a visit from a surveyor, who will issue an attestation de conformité if all is well.

Sarah Bright-Thomas is an English-speaking lawyer at Bright Avocats