Role of the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU)

In addition to the Health and Safety Authority, the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) (formerly the Commission for Energy Regulation) has a key role in regulating the safety of electrical installations. Unlike the HSA, the CRU regulates electrical contractors in domestic as well as workplace environments.

Following the enactment of the Energy (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2006 in December 2006, which amended the Electricity Regulation Act 1999,  the CRU’s functions were expanded in a number of areas. Significantly, the 2006 Act assigns the responsibility to the Commission for the regulation of electrical contractors with respect to safety.

Safe Electric, operated by Safe Energy Ireland, carries out the function of regulating electrical contractors on behalf of the CRU. Safe Energy Ireland have been appointed as the Safety Supervisory Body by the CRU to operate the Safe Electric scheme for a period of five years from 3 January 2023.