Electrical wiring in the United Kingdom
As of 2006, the standard wiring colors in the UK are the same as in the rest of Europe, following the international standard IEC 60446. This color pattern was initially used for appliance cords in the UK in the early 1970s. However, the original red/black color scheme recommended by the IEE for permanent wiring was used until 2006, though a change to a green/yellow striped wire for grounding was made in 1976. The international standard blue/brown scheme is now commonly seen in most appliance cords. In permanent wiring, the blue/brown arrangement is only present in newer installations after 2004, and the old IEE red/black scheme is likely to continue in existing installations for many more years.