![Heatwave's van, complete with unauthorised NICEIC logo [Photo from Hillingdon Council]](/assets/news_articles/2025/12/1766130976_heatwave.jpg)
When Hillingdon Council鈥檚 trading standards team discovered that Heatwave Construction Ltd was claiming credentials that it did not have, it took action and eventually prosecuted.
Uxbridge Magistrates鈥� Court heard that Heatwave Construction Ltd, operating out of Royal Lane, Uxbridge, had displayed the logo of the National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting (NICEIC) on its van without authorisation.
Heatwave Construction Ltd was represented by company director Gurcharan Singh Chahal at in court on Tuesday 9th December, where he admitted charges of engaging in an unfair commercial practice.
The court was told that the council鈥檚 trading standard team was notified by NICEIC on 27th August 2024, that Heatwave was displaying its logos without authorisation.
On 30th August 2024, council officers sent a letter advising the business that it was not entitled to use the branding. When it had no response, a follow-up letter was hand-delivered on 10th October, with a 14-day deadline for compliance. Despite this, the logo was still on the van when the trading standards team visited on 7th November 2024.
In November 2024, the council was notified by NICEIC that Chahal was not, and never had been registered with them, nor authorised to use its branding, logo or certification marks. The council was further informed in June 2025 that Heatwave Construction Ltd had previously been registered as a NICEIC certified contractor between 16th December 2019 and 4th January 2024 but was no longer authorised after that date.
The court was told that Chahal was invited to attend an interview with trading standards under caution on 21st January 2025 and again on 20th February, but he failed to attend both times.
At last week鈥檚 sentencing, Judge Kathryn Verghis gave Chahal credit for the guilty plea, but said: 鈥淵ou would have had clear economic advantage which could have had deadly consequences.鈥�
Heatwave Construction Ltd was ordered to pay 拢480, a victim surcharge of 拢192 and the council鈥檚 prosecution costs of 拢1,657. Chahal was handed a conditional discharge for 12 months, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of 拢26 and prosecution costs of 拢1,657.
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