The wiring reg's don't just cover dwellings, you get showers and baths on industrial properties.
This is what I mean, they would have been better in updating the regs every ten years, so in 2001 the IEE should have changed to the 17th edition. Then this would have meant those with old books and training would have HAD TO update their knowledge, and attend the relivant City and Guilds course. But at the moment there is nothing to force them to do so.
I did in the City and Guild 2391 inspection and testing course a couple of years ago and bought the Blue book. For the first couple of days of the course we did a update on the 16th edition where they went over the amendments and introduction to the BS7671 standard, but alot of electricians have not done such an update and never will until they are required to do so, as there is nothing writen down to make them, or their employer update their knowledge, and that is just as important as updating the handbook with all the amendments.
But Part P only applies to domestic properties, not commercial, public or indutrial properties and installations, and those are the areas were most electricians work, and alot of them have done the 16th edition under the red, green books.
The only laws which apply to non dwellings is the Electricity at Work Act and the Health and Safety at Work act, and the IEE regs ARE NOT LAW unless written into contract.
J