Create Anything from Anything: Converting Between Certificate Types in Shine Forms

Electrical work often evolves from one certificate type to another. An EICR reveals a consumer unit needs replacing, suddenly you need an EIC. A circuit addition requires a Minor Works certificate based on existing installation data. Updating certificates to new regulation versions demands tedious re-entry. Shine Forms “Create Anything from Anything” feature eliminates this repetitive work, converting certificates intelligently and accurately.

Why Certificate Conversion Helps

Converting between certificate types manually is time-consuming and error-prone. You need to:

• Avoid re-entering data - Installation details, board configurations, client information
• Maintain accuracy - Ensure converted data matches the source certificate exactly
• Save time - Focus on testing and inspection, not data entry
• Stay organised - Keep related certificates connected logically
• Update to new regulations - Migrate certificates as standards evolve

Certificate conversion addresses all these needs automatically.

What You Can Convert

Pirform supports conversion between most certificate types and regulation versions:

Installation Certificates (EIC) ↔ Inspection Reports (EICR)

• EICR to EIC - After an inspection reveals work needed, create an EIC with existing installation details
• EIC to EICR - Follow up installation work with periodic inspection using the same installation data

Minor Works Certificates

• Any certificate type to Minor Works - Create Minor Works based on specific circuits from existing certificates
• Boards and circuits preserved - Select the exact circuit for the new Minor Works

Regulation Updates

• 2011 to 2015 (Amendment 3) - Update certificates to new regulation versions
• 2015 to 2018 - Migrate to 18th Edition
• 2018 to 2018+A1 to 2018+A2 - Keep certificates current with amendments

Other Conversions

• Between regulation versions - Any older certificate type to current regulations
• Copy with modifications - Create a modified copy of the same certificate type

How Certificate Conversion Works

Opening the Conversion Tool

1. Go to the Home Screen
2. Select the source certificate (the certificate you want to convert from)
3. Click Create Certificate in the ribbon
4. Choose the conversion type

The Create Certificate menu shows options based on your source certificate type:

• Copy - Create identical copy of same type
• Create EIC - Generate Installation Certificate from source
• Create EICR - Generate Inspection Report from source
• Create Minor Works - Generate Minor Works from selected circuit
• Merge Boards and Observations - Combine multiple certificates (covered in our merging article)

What Gets Converted

When converting certificates, Shine Forms intelligently carries over:

Installation Details

• Client name and address
• Installation address (if different)
• Supply characteristics (TN-S, TN-C-S, TT, etc.)
• Earthing and bonding details
• Main protective device information

Boards and Circuits

• Board designations and locations
• Circuit descriptions and types
• Cable sizes and types
• Protective device ratings
• Reference installation methods

Optional: Test Results

• Circuit test measurements
• Earth loop impedance values
• Insulation resistance readings
• RCD test results

Optional: Observations

• Coded observations (C1, C2, C3, FI, LIM)
• Observation descriptions
• Related schedule items

Optional: Schedule Items

• Inspection schedule codings
• Matched between certificate types where possible
• Intelligent-generated items excluded (recalculated in new certificate)

Conversion Confirmation

Before creating the converted certificate, Shine Forms shows a confirmation dialogue with key decisions:

• Certificate number - Shine Forms suggests the next available number
• Include observations - Check to carry over observations from source
• Include test results - Check to carry over test measurements
• Copy schedule items - Check to transfer inspection schedule codings

Make your selections and click OK to create the converted certificate.

Converting EICR to EIC: Common Scenario

The most frequent conversion scenario: an EICR reveals work that requires an EIC.

The Situation

You complete an EICR for a domestic property and find:

• Consumer unit is non-compliant and requires replacement
• Several circuits fail testing
• No RCD protection for required circuits

The client authorises replacement work. You need an EIC for the new consumer unit installation.

Converting the Certificate

Step 1: Select the EICR In the Home Screen, select the completed EICR.

Step 2: Create EIC Click Create Certificate → Create EIC

Step 3: Configure Conversion In the confirmation dialogue:

• Accept the suggested certificate number (or change it)
• Uncheck “Include observations” - Observations from inspection aren’t relevant to new installation
• Uncheck “Include test results” - You’ll perform fresh tests on new installation
• Uncheck “Copy schedule items” - EIC schedule differs from EICR

Step 4: Modify as Needed The new EIC opens with:

• Same client and installation details
• Same boards (which you’ll modify for new consumer unit)
• Same supply characteristics

Modify the certificate:

• Update boards for new consumer unit configuration
• Update circuits for new wiring
• Enter new test results
• Complete installation details specific to EIC
• Add design and installation signatures

Why This Saves Time

Without conversion:

• Re-enter client name and address
• Re-enter installation address
• Re-enter supply characteristics
• Re-enter earthing arrangement
• Manually recreate board structure

With conversion: All installation details transfer automatically. You focus only on what changed: the new consumer unit and circuits.

Converting EIC to EICR: Following Up Installation

Another common scenario: following up installation work with periodic inspection.

The Situation

You installed a new consumer unit and circuits. Five years later, the client requests periodic inspection. You need an EICR but don’t want to re-enter all the installation details.

Converting the Certificate

Step 1: Select the EIC Find the original installation certificate in the Home Screen.

Step 2: Create EICR Click Create Certificate → Create EICR

Step 3: Configure Conversion

• Accept the suggested certificate number
• Uncheck “Include observations” - No observations on original installation
• Uncheck “Include test results” - Need fresh test measurements
• Check “Copy schedule items” - Useful reference, though you’ll inspect everything fresh

Step 4: Complete Inspection The new EICR opens with:

• Installation details from original EIC
• Board and circuit structure from installation
• Blank test results ready for new measurements
• Inspection schedule ready for coding

Perform your inspection and complete the EICR normally.

Benefits

• Installation continuity documented
• Board structure reflects actual installation
• Circuit descriptions match original installation
• No risk of data entry errors
• Client impressed by your record-keeping

Creating Minor Works from Existing Certificates

Minor Works certificates often relate to existing installations. Pirform makes it easy to create them from any certificate type.

The Situation

During a periodic inspection, the client asks you to add a socket to an existing ring final circuit. You need a Minor Works certificate for this addition.

Creating Minor Works

Step 1: Select Source Certificate Select the EICR (or EIC) containing the circuit you’re extending.

Step 2: Create Minor Works Click Create Certificate → Create Minor Works

Step 3: Select Circuit Shine Forms shows boards and circuits from the source certificate. Select the ring final circuit you’re extending and click OK.

Step 4: Complete Minor Works The new Minor Works certificate opens with:

• Client and installation details
• Circuit description from selected circuit
• Cable type and size from selected circuit
• Protective device details from selected circuit
• Supply characteristics from source certificate

Complete the Minor Works:

• Enter work description (e.g., “Added one twin socket outlet”)
• Add new test results
• Enter inspector details
• Sign and issue

Why This Matters

Minor Works often extend existing circuits. Having accurate circuit details from the source certificate ensures:

• Correct cable sizes recorded
• Protective device ratings accurate
• Supply characteristics correct
• Compliance with original installation design

Copying Certificates

Sometimes you need a duplicate or near-duplicate certificate.

Common Copy Scenarios

Scenario 1: Similar Property Inspecting multiple identical properties (e.g., flats in a block). Copy one EICR, change apartment number and specific findings, save hours of re-entry.

Scenario 2: Before/After Documentation Create two versions of a certificate—one showing conditions before work, one after. Copy, modify, compare easily.

Scenario 3: Template Creation Create a “template” certificate for common installation types. Copy it for each new job, modify specifics.

How to Copy

Step 1: Select Source Select the certificate to copy.

Step 2: Copy Click Create Certificate → Copy

Step 3: Configure Copy Choose whether to include:

• Observations
• Test results
• Schedule items

Step 4: Modify Copy The copied certificate opens. Change:

• Certificate number (Shine Forms suggests next number)
• Date
• Engineer (if different)
• Installation-specific details
• Test results
• Observations

Updating to New Regulation Versions

When regulations update, you may need certificates under new standards for ongoing work or reference.

Converting to Amendment 3 (2015)

Source: 2011 format certificate (PIR, EIC, etc.)

Process:

1. Select 2011 certificate
2. Create an appropriate 2015 certificate type
3. Check “Copy schedule items”
4. Shine Forms matches schedule items where possible

Result: 2015 format certificate with:

• Updated schedule items
• New max Zs values
• Amendment 3 form layout
• Original installation data preserved

Converting to 18th Edition (2018)

Source: Amendment 3 (2015) or earlier

Process:

1. Select source certificate
2. Create 18th Edition equivalent
3. Review schedule items (significant changes from 17th Edition)
4. Update any regulation-specific fields

Result: 18th Edition certificate ready for current work.

Converting to Amendment 2 (2022)

Source: BS 7671

certificate

Process:

1. Select 2018 certificate
2. Create 2018+A2
   equivalent
3. Review updated schedule items
4. Complete any new A2
   specific fields

Result: Current regulation certificate with updated requirements.

What Doesn’t Convert

Shine Forms is intelligent about conversion, but some elements can’t transfer:

Incompatible Elements

Test Results When Installation Changes If converting EICR to EIC for consumer unit replacement, test results don’t transfer—you’re testing a new installation.

Observations From Inspections Observations about existing installation conditions aren’t relevant to new installation certificates.

Intelligence-Generated Schedule Items Shine Forms excludes schedule items created automatically by intelligence. The intelligence system recalculates based on new certificate data.

Regulation-Specific Fields Fields specific to one regulation version may not exist in another. Pirform omits these during conversion.

Mismatched Schedule Items

When converting between EIC and EICR:

• Schedule items differ significantly between types
• Shine Forms matches where possible by item number and description
• Non-matching items are left blank in target certificate
• Codings may not be relevant (e.g., C1 from EICR isn’t applicable in EIC)

This is expected—review and update schedule items after conversion.

Best Practices

Choose Conversions Thoughtfully

Before converting, ask:

• Does the source data apply? - Don’t convert from unrelated certificates
• Will test results be valid? - Only include test results if they apply to new certificate
• Are observations relevant? - Inspection observations rarely apply to installation certificates
• Is schedule data useful? - Schedule items may need complete re-evaluation

Review Converted Certificates Carefully

After conversion:

• Verify installation details - Ensure transferred data is still accurate
• Update changed information - Modify any details that don’t apply
• Check board and circuit structure - Confirm boards match current installation
• Review schedule items - Validate transferred schedule codings
• Re-test as appropriate - Don’t rely on old test results for new work

Use Conversion for Customer Continuity

Converting maintains installation history:

• Client sees you have comprehensive records
• Installation changes are documented systematically
• Future inspections reference accurate historical data
• Professional image enhanced

Name Certificates Clearly

After conversion, consider certificate numbering:

• Use sequential numbers for related certificates
• Note relationships in certificate references
• Keep customer name and installation address consistent
• Use installation descriptions to differentiate multiple locations

Keep Source Certificates

Never delete source certificates after conversion:

• Maintain audit trail
• Reference historical data
• Compare before/after states
• Support warranty or liability questions

Integration with Other Features

With Certificate Sharing

Convert and share in one workflow:

1. Import the engineer’s EICR
2. Convert to EIC for remedial work
3. Complete EIC
4. Export both EICR and EIC to engineer

See our certificate sharing article for details.

With Board Manager

After conversion, use Board Manager to:

• Reorganise boards for new installation
• Update supply relationships
• Verify the converted board structure
• Add or remove boards as needed

With Intelligence

Shine Forms intelligence system recalculates after conversion:

• Validates converted circuits
• Checks cable sizing for new certificate context
• Generates new observations if issues found
• Excludes original intelligence-generated schedule items

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I convert between all certificate types?

Most conversions are supported. You can convert between EIC, EICR, and Minor Works, and update regulation versions for any certificate type.

What if I convert incorrectly?

Simply delete the converted certificate if you haven’t saved significant work. Otherwise, create a new conversion with correct settings.

Do converted certificates link to originals?

No. Once converted, certificates are independent. However, you can reference source certificates in descriptions or remarks.

Can I convert multiple certificates at once?

No. Convert one certificate at a time. For combining multiple certificates, use the merging feature.

Will the conversion update old regulation versions automatically?

No. You must explicitly convert to new regulation versions. Pirform doesn’t automatically update certificates to newer regulations.

Can I convert a certificate multiple times?

Yes. You might convert an EICR to EIC, then later create a Minor Works from the EIC. Each conversion creates an independent certificate.

What happens to photos and appendices?

Photos and document appendices don’t automatically convert. Add them to the new certificate as needed.

Practical Workflows

Workflow 1: EICR Leading to Installation Work

1. Complete EICR finding consumer unit requires replacement
2. Convert EICR to EIC (exclude observations and test results)
3. Modify boards for new consumer unit
4. Perform installation work
5. Complete testing and EIC
6. Issue both EICR (original findings) and EIC (remedial work) to client

Workflow 2: Installation with Subsequent Minor Additions

1. Complete initial installation EIC
2. Six months later, client requests socket addition
3. Convert EIC to Minor Works, selecting circuit being extended
4. Perform minor works
5. Complete and issue Minor Works certificate
6. Both certificates on file for this installation

Workflow 3: Periodic Inspection Series

1. Initial installation: EIC created
2. Five years later: Convert EIC to EICR, perform first periodic inspection
3. Five years later: Convert previous EICR to new EICR, perform second periodic
4. Complete history of installation maintained through conversions

Workflow 4: Regulation Update for Ongoing Project

1. Start project under BS 7671
2. Mid-project, Amendment 2 published
3. Convert existing certificates to 2018+A2
   format
4. Complete remaining work under new amendment
5. All certificates consistent with current regulations

Learn More

Explore related features and documentation:

• Creating Certificates Documentation - Complete reference for all certificate creation methods
• Certificate Sharing and Merging - Collaborating with multiple engineers
• Board Manager - Organising complex installations
• Intelligence System - Automatic validation and checking

Questions About Certificate Conversion?

Need help choosing the right conversion for your situation or troubleshooting conversion issues? Our support team can provide guidance on certificate workflows and best practices for maintaining installation documentation.

Contact us at support@shineforms.co.uk or explore comprehensive documentation at docs.shineforms.co.uk.