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ESC, COC and ROI — a clear guide for New Zealand Electricians
- Russell Cole
- Oct 12
- 3 min read
Paperwork is as much part of the job as the work you do on site. Get the right certificate to the client and you’re meeting legal obligations, keeping customers safe, and protecting your licence.
But Certificate of Compliance (COC), Electrical Safety Certificate (ESC) and Record of Inspection (ROI) are different documents with different uses. Here’s a practical guide — what each is, when it’s needed, who issues it and some examples.
Quick overview showing relationship between risk category and certification requirement.
Certification requirement | Low-risk Work | General Work | High-risk Work |
Electrical Safety Certificate (ESC) | Required | Required | Required |
Certificate of Compliance (COC) | Optional | Required | Required |
Record of Inspection (ROI) | Not Required | Not Required | Required |
Entry on Electricity and Gas High-risk Database | Not Required | Not Required | Required |
But how do we actually know if the work we are doing is Low, General or High risk work?
Risk categories for prescribed electrical work (PEW)
Low-risk: includes replacements and repairs on existing installations.
Example - Replacing an existing socket outlet with a new unit.
General: includes all the other work such as installation, sub-circuits & sub-boards.
Example - Installation of new socket outlet.
High-risk: includes but not limited to mains work, PV solar, hazardous areas, high voltage, mains parallel generation, Medical areas for example.
Explanation of the 3 types of electrical compliance forms that are required.
Electrical Safety Certificate (ESC)
What it is:Â Confirms an installation (or part) is safe to connect to supply.
When needed:Â All 3 risk categories (low, General & High) require an ESC to be issued.
Example:
Replacement of a light switch or power outlet. - Note the word replace, we did not install anything here we only replaced what was already there. This would fall under Low-risk works.
New power outlet installed - Note the word installed. this means we ran cable and installed a new outlet within the installation. This would be General risk work and would require an ESC and COC.
👉 With Smart Certs: The ESC template is built into the COC form, so you can issue it alongside a CoC in one go, email it instantly to the client, and keep a copy for your records.
Certificate of Compliance (COC)
What it is:Â A statement from the electrical worker that their prescribed electrical work (PEW) complies with the law and NZ electrical standards.
When needed:Â 2 of the risk categories (General & High) require an COC to be issued, you may optionally issue one for low risk if you feel the need to do so.
Example:
Installing a new lighting point in a residential home. This falls into the alterations or additions to an installation and would fall into the general work category. This work would require both an ESC and COC be completed.
👉 With Smart Certs: Generate a CoC on your phone before you leave site. The app automatically includes the test results you enter (polarity, insulation, RCD tests, etc.) so you don’t miss anything.
Record of Inspection (ROI)
What it is: Independent inspection for high-risk prescribed electrical work, issued by a registered electrical inspector.
When needed:Â High-risk jobs like mains work, PV/solar, hazardous/medical installs etc.
Example:
Grid-connected solar install. This falls into the High-risk category and requires a COC & ESC (completed by the electrician) and an ROI to be issued by an inspector.
👉 With Smart Certs: Inspectors can complete ROIs directly in our app with the ability to attach the COC / ESC directly to the ROI so everything is kept neatly in one file.
Final thoughts
Whether it’s a quick socket replacement or a complex solar installation, making sure you complete the right documents protects you, your licence, and your customer. Get it wrong, and you risk non-compliance.
👉 With Smart Certs, you can get it right every time — COCs, ESCs, and ROIs done in minutes, compliant with NZ Electrical regulations, and stored safely in the cloud for future reference.