I expect that some "proper" testing should and does take place,
depending on the type of equipment. We can wait weeks for someone to
make up and PAT test a 13A trailing lead, or I can walk into any local
supermarket and buy one, but I am not supposed to use it at work until
the PAT guy has eyeballed it and affixed his sticker.

Technically, I thought you didn't need to PAT test new stuff in its first
year.

Christian.