Northern Ireland's gas installer registration scheme will be operated by Gas Safe Register from April 1, 2010.
News of the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI's) decision to follow the rest of the UK by using Gas Safe Register, has been welcomed by HVAC trade bodies who raised concerns their members who operate in Northern Ireland and on the mainland would have be forced to pay two registration fees.

'This is a victory for public safety and common sense,' said Blane Judd, Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE).

The Gas Safe Register replaced the CORGI gas registration scheme in England, Scotland, Wales and the Isle of Man on April 1 2009.

Northern Ireland, however, retains CORGI until April 2010. Many had feared Northern Ireland would devise a separate a scheme managed by CORGI.

Blane Judd added: 'Having two systems would have caused confusion, and allowed unscrupulous plumbers and heating engineers to get away with all sorts of unacceptable practices.'

Gas installers, suppliers, trade bodies, and consumers took part in HSENI consultation exercise which ended on April 30. The HSENI offered two options for the province's 720 registered gas operatives from April 2010: adopting the UK's Gas Safe Register, or devising a stand-alone scheme for Northern Ireland which could be managed by Corgi.

The Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers Federation (SNIPEF), the Heating and Ventilating Association (HVCA) and the Association of Registered Gas Installers (ARGI) and CIPHE were among the trade bodies who put forward their views during the consultation period.

HSENI's decision is subject to final contract negotiations.

A statement from HSENI said: 'The overwhelming opinion from our consultation was that we align with the arrangements in GB and appoint Gas Safe Register as the body approved to register gas installers for work in NI. This move is in parallel with an increase in the inspection team in the Gas Safety unit, aimed at ensuring the highest level of safety for gas consumers.'