Do new appliances need PAT testing?
Short answer: usually not. The longer answer is about what to do instead, and the few cases where it is worth testing anyway.
What HSE says
HSE's guidance on portable appliance testing is direct about this. New equipment should be supplied in a safe condition and should not need a formal portable appliance inspection or test. A simple visual check is recommended to make sure nothing was damaged in transit or when it was unpacked.
What to do when something new arrives
- Check the item and its cable for damage from delivery.
- Check it has a proper UK three-pin plug. Anything that arrives with a foreign plug and a travel adaptor is a warning sign, and is worth asking about before it goes into use.
- Add it to your appliance register with the date it arrived, so it is included in the next routine visit. Our free appliance register has a column for exactly this.
- Keep the instructions. They tell you whether the item is Class I or Class II, which affects how it is tested later.
There is no legal requirement to label new items, or anything else. HSE is clear that labels and records are useful rather than compulsory.
When a new item is worth testing
"New to you" is not the same as new. It is sensible to have an item inspected and tested before it goes into use if:
- it is second-hand or refurbished, including anything from an auction, clearance sale or another office
- it was bought from an online marketplace and you are not sure of its origin
- it is hire or borrowed equipment and you have no record of when it was last checked
- it is going straight into a harsh environment, such as a workshop, a commercial kitchen or a building site
If you have a batch of items like these, we can test them on arrival for the normal per-item price. See pricing.
Sources
Common questions
Does a new appliance need a PAT sticker?
No. There is no legal requirement to label any appliance, new or old. Many businesses label items after their first routine test so everything on site follows the same system.
When should a new item have its first test?
At your next routine visit, alongside everything else. Adding it to your register when it arrives makes sure it is not missed.
Is second-hand equipment treated as new?
No. Second-hand, refurbished and borrowed items have an unknown history, so it is sensible to have them inspected and tested before use.
Related guides
Class I and Class II appliances: what is the difference?
How to tell a Class I appliance from a Class II one, why it changes how an item is tested, and whether a kettle is Class 1 or Class 2. Plain English.
Read the guideHow to prepare for a PAT test
A practical checklist for the day of your PAT test, plus a free appliance register and user-check sheet to download. Saves time and keeps your quote accurate.
Read the guideWhat a PAT certificate should show
The law does not require a PAT certificate, but insurers, agents and inspectors ask for one. What a useful record contains, and how to spot a weak one.
Read the guideReady to get tested?
Pick a slot in the next four weeks, or send us the details for a date further out. It's a provisional booking, and one of the team will be in touch to confirm.