What Is a Certificate of Compliance (COC)?
A Certificate of Compliance is a legal document that a registered electrician issues after completing prescribed electrical work. That covers fixed wiring and fittings, like power points, lighting circuits, switchboard upgrades, and hot water wiring. The COC confirms the work meets the Electricity Act and AS/NZS wiring rules. It’s proof the job won’t put people or property at risk. It’s also the paper trail showing that a qualified person did the work.
What Is an Electrical Safety Certificate (ESC)?
An Electrical Safety Certificate relates to the electrical installation, not appliances. It’s issued by the electrician who makes the final connection to the power supply, confirming that connection is safe. Under the Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010, an ESC is required for almost all prescribed electrical work, from a simple repair like replacing a power point or RCD through to a full switchboard upgrade or new installation. General and high-risk work needs an ESC alongside a CoC. This is different from testing and tagging portable appliances under AS/NZS 3760, which is a separate service on its own retesting cycle.
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50+ Years of Proven Experience
Established in Auckland since 1974, French Electrical has been trusted across the region for over 50 years. Our team of registered Master Electricians delivers work that's built to last every time.
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Key Differences and When You'll Need Each
The core difference isn’t really what each document covers, it’s what each one confirms. A CoC confirms the completed work meets the Electricity Act and AS/NZS wiring rules; it’s the compliance record. An ESC confirms the installation is safe to connect to the supply at the moment of connection; it’s the safety check tied to that final step. You’ll need a CoC for general or high-risk prescribed electrical work, such as new wiring, added circuits, or switchboard upgrades. You’ll need an ESC any time a connection is made to the supply, which in practice means almost every electrical job, from a straightforward repair through to a full new installation. For low-risk repairs, such as replacing a switch, power point, or RCD, an ESC on its own may be enough. For general and high-risk work, you’ll need both a CoC and an ESC, and high-risk work also requires an independent Record of Inspection. If you’re having appliances or equipment tested and tagged under AS/NZS 3760, common in workplaces, rental properties, and commercial kitchens, that’s a separate service again, on its own testing cycle, and it shouldn’t be confused with an ESC. If you’re unsure which applies to your situation, French Electrical can assess the job and confirm what you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a COC and an Electrical Safety Certificate?
A CoC confirms that prescribed electrical work meets New Zealand’s wiring rules and legislation. An ESC confirms the installation is safe to connect to the electricity supply at the time of connection. Almost every electrical job needs an ESC; a CoC is also required for general and high-risk work.
Do I need both a COC and an ESC?
For low-risk repairs, such as swapping a power point or RCD, an ESC alone may be enough. For general work (new circuits, alterations) and high-risk work (mains connections, solar, hazardous installations), you’ll need both a CoC and an ESC.
Does a COC or an ESC expire?
No. Once issued, a CoC has no expiry, it’s a permanent compliance record for that piece of work. An ESC is a one-off certificate tied to a specific connection and doesn’t need renewing either. It’s appliance test tags (under AS/NZS 3760) that expire and need periodic retesting, not the ESC.
How often do appliances need testing?
Appliances aren’t covered by an ESC, they’re safety tested and tagged under AS/NZS 3760. It depends on the environment: standard workplaces often test every 12 months, while construction sites and workshops may need testing every three to six months due to higher equipment risk.
Who needs an Electrical Safety Certificate?
Anyone having prescribed electrical work connected to the supply needs an ESC, from a homeowner having a repair or upgrade done, through to a business carrying out a new installation. Your electrician issues it as part of the job.
Can French Electrical provide both COC and ESC services?
Yes. French Electrical issues CoCs and ESCs as standard on all prescribed electrical work, and can also arrange appliance testing and tagging separately if needed.