How to Switch Your Team to Amendment 4 Before October

Amendment 4 was released in April, and the clock is now ticking on the other end of the changeover. The previous edition of BS 7671, the Brown Book, is withdrawn on 15 October 2026. After that, without contractual agreement between all parties involved (refer to page 12 of Amendment 4), every new certificate has to reference Amendment 4.

Both editions are valid until then, so there’s no need to panic. But there’s a bit to sort out, especially if you’re running a team. The firms that handle this well are the ones that plan the switchover rather than leaving it to the deadline.

Here’s how to do it cleanly.

Pick a changeover date

Choose the date your firm moves fully to Amendment 4, and put it in the diary. One date, clearly communicated, beats everyone guessing. Make sure every engineer knows when it is and what changes for them.

Get your templates and defaults ready

Update your certificate templates and default dropdowns to Amendment 4 before the date, not after. Review your standard wording, your notes and your observation libraries while you’re at it. And check your logo and company details still come through correctly on the new forms.

Brief the team

Walk everyone through what’s changed and where. Agree how you’re handling jobs that are already in progress. And point the team at the full Amendment 4 guide so they’ve got the detail when they need it.

The one rule that catches people out

Both editions are valid right up to 15 October, but only within a single project. So don’t mix editions on one job. If you start a job under Amendment 4 it has to stay under Amendment 4 all the way through. An assessor will spot a mixed job a mile off.

Download the switchover checklist

We’ve turned all of this into a one-page checklist you can print and keep. Pick a date, update your templates, brief the team, tick it off.

Download the Amendment 4 Switchover Checklist →

With Shine Forms, the regs side is already handled. The Amendment 4 changes are built in, verified by Gary Gundry who helps write BS 7671, so when your team enters their values, the software checks them against Amendment 4 as they work. Every engineer, working to the same standard, every time.