Here we are, already in the second month of 2026, after what has felt like a very long, very rainy January. If your January felt as long as mine did, why not re-energise with a little research trip to Frankfurt? Trade show Light + Building is taking place at Messe Frankfurt in March – the weather might not be much better than the UK, but there will be new technology to explore, trends to discover, and if all else fails, a traditional Apfelwein (Apple Wine) in a local bar. Take a look at all the show details on page 22.
The big news in January was the IET and the BSI publishing Amendment 4 (2026) to the BS 7671:2018 Wiring Regulations. Significant changes include a new chapter on Stationary Secondary Batteries for electrical storage and a new section on Power over Ethernet (PoE), among others. It’s vital that the electrical wholesaling sector stays up to date so they, in turn, can advise their installer customers on how best to implement the changes.
The Amendment has been accompanied by a range of support from industry bodies, including NICEIC, which is launching a programme of guidance, training and technical resources to support the industry as it transitions to the new requirements. Read more about the changes on page 15, or visit www.theiet.org.
Elsewhere in the issue, you can enjoy our usual news, views and product innovations, plus features on cable management, fire and CO alarms, surge protection and more.
Bryony Andrews, Editor
