Charity Shops! PAT Testing

13 May 2025

Charity Shops! Turn Second-Hand Electricals into Safe, Sellable Goods with PAT Testing!

Every charity shop can boost sales and ensure safety with PAT Testing—helping you confidently resell small electrical appliances to new customers while keeping them protected.

Why PAT Testing Makes Sense for Charity Shops

With a simple process, any competent person can PAT Test second-hand electricals to ensure they meet British safety standards. Here’s how:

✅ Check the appliance hasn’t been recalled.

✅ Ensure it carries CE/Kite Mark certification.

✅ Conduct a thorough visual inspection.

✅ Perform a PAT Test using reliable equipment.

✅Do a functional test, to make sure the equipment is working correctly.

Plus, PAT Testing supports sustainability! Many perfectly working items—whether upgrades or unwanted gifts—are thrown away. PAT Testing allows charity shops to give them a second life, keeping them out of landfill while generating valuable revenue.

Get Started with PAT Testing—No Formal Qualification Required!

PAT Testing isn’t complicated—you just need to be competent. Start with our Free Online PAT Testing Course, designed to teach you:

✔️ How PAT Testing works

✔️ What equipment is needed

✔️ Step-by-step testing techniques

✔️ Plug wiring basics

The course takes approximately 25 minutes, and once you pass, you can purchase a certificate for £30 (inc. VAT) or upgrade to our Standard PAT Testing Kit at a discounted price of £372 (inc. VAT)—saving £25!

If you need extra guidance, Parker Bell also offers in-person training to provide hands-on learning with expert instructors. You can ring and speak with our trainer, Dale, who can help you decide what suits you best.

Ensure Compliance When Selling Second-Hand Electrical Appliances

Make sure your items are safe and legal before selling them! Check recalls using official resources like Trading Standards and the Electrical safety first recall checker Product Recalls & Safety Notices | Electrical Safety First

💡 TIP: Always keep clear records of tested items. While labelling is optional, ensuring customers and regulators can verify your testing procedures is essential. Also, don’t forget—always use a calibrated PAT Tester for valid results!

Need Support? We’re Here to Help!

For free technical advice, call us on 01392 364933—we’ll walk you through PAT Testing step by step. Have your PAT Tester and appliance ready, and we’ll make sure you get it right!

Information about electrical safety in general and checking for manufacturer recalls can be found here: https://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/

🔹 Make PAT Testing Work for Your Charity Shop Today! 🔹 Parker Bell makes PAT Testing easy, affordable, and effective—so you can sell second-hand electrical goods with confidence. Let’s make safety your selling point! 🚀