"Ensuring that only Gas Safe-registered engineers can purchase and install gas-critical products is a crucial step in protecting lives and preventing these potentially deadly tragedies"
- Deborah Stephenson - CORGI Services
Experts are calling for tighter controls on the sale of gas-critical products, with nine in ten homeowners backing a ban on boiler sales to anyone who is not Gas Safe registered. The call coincides with Gas Safety Week (8–14 September), led by the Gas Safe Register, which is encouraging households to protect themselves by checking installer credentials.
The scale of the problem is significant. The Gas Safe Register estimates that around 250,000 gas jobs are carried out illegally each year, with two-thirds judged unsafe. The financial impact is also substantial, with customers often paying £400 or more to fix problems, while legitimate tradespeople face unfair competition from unqualified operators.
Awareness and risks
Despite these risks, new survey findings from ATAG Heating Technology suggest that one in six homeowners has never checked if their engineer is Gas Safe registered. A third said they would be more likely to verify credentials if the process were easier.
A separate survey of Gas Safe installers showed that 82% are called to fix unsafe work carried out by unqualified fitters at least once per quarter. Nearly half said the faults they encounter pose a serious carbon monoxide risk.
Social media may be contributing to the issue, with 45% of illegal jobs promoted online. More than six in ten registered engineers believe the most effective way to address this is to restrict boiler sales to Gas Safe professionals only.
Industry response
ATAG Heating Technology already prevents non-registered engineers from buying its boilers. The company is now urging MPs to enforce the same rules across the sector and is inviting the public and industry professionals to sign a letter to Parliament supporting new legislation.
Kevin Treanor, director of ATAG Heating Technology UK, said: “Illegal gas work doesn't just pose a threat to installers, it endangers the lives of UK residents.
“Our engineers often report showing up to jobs with dangerously installed systems that could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, fires, or even explosions, and so seeing the data there in black and white confirms our concerns.
“The fact that over half of installers are never asked to show ID when attending a job shows just how vulnerable the current system is, and that we urgently need tougher safeguards to protect the public and uphold professional standards.
“We are really pleased that UK homeowners feel as strongly about this as we do, and are backing our call for change.”
The campaign has gained support from several industry organisations, including CORGI Services.
Deborah Stephenson, business development manager at CORGI Services, said: “CORGI Services stands firmly with ATAG Heating Technology in advocating for stricter regulations on the sale and installation of gas boilers. As the fundraising arm of the CO Research Trust, we wholeheartedly support ATAG's campaign against illegal gas work.
“The safety of UK residents is paramount, and the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning from improperly installed systems is both real and preventable. Ensuring that only Gas Safe-registered engineers can purchase and install gas-critical products is a crucial step in protecting lives and preventing these potentially deadly tragedies.”
Public health concerns
Government statistics show that dozens of people lose their lives each year due to carbon monoxide poisoning caused by faulty appliances.
Marie, an NHS paramedic who has attended numerous call-outs, explained: “Carbon Monoxide is known as a silent killer because you can’t see, smell, or taste it.
“If you’re experiencing unexplained nausea, vomiting, chest pain, disorientation, or even loss of consciousness, it could be a sign of carbon monoxide poisoning, and it’s critical to act fast.
“I have personal experience of my uncle being affected by it. Initially, his symptoms were put down to a virus and his memory loss due to old age. It was only after a service of his boiler that the cause was found. He soon bounced back once everything was fixed.
“If you think you’re being exposed, get outside into fresh air immediately and call for medical help. If it’s safe to do so, stop using any appliances you suspect - like a boiler or heater - and open windows and doors to ventilate the space.
“But most importantly, prevention is key. Every home should have a carbon monoxide alarm - they’re affordable, simple to fit, and they really do save lives.”
