New gas safety scheme launched to replace CORGI

All gas workers will have to be signed up to the recently named Gas Safe Register from April 2009 under a new gas safety scheme.

Currently it's a legal requirement that all gas workers must be registered with CORGI. However, this scheme is being replaced by the Gas Safe Register, run by Capita. 

The scheme is overseen by the HSE.

The new gas register will launch to the public before the CORGI register ends on 31 March 2009. Gas Safe Register will be heavily promoted over the coming months to ensure installers, consumers and all the stakeholders of the industry are aware of the change.

Geoffrey Podger, Chief Executive of the HSE, says:

"We welcome the development of this new brand which will focus exclusively on improving consumer gas safety and believe it will be a cost effective scheme for installers. We urge the industry and other stakeholders to do all they can to support its promotion to consumers as the 'hallmark' of gas safety."

CORGI-registered installers should have been sent a letter by now by Gas Safe Register and can start the registration process on the website.