I haven't seen or heard anything more about the new rules since we discussed them here a few months ago. Personally, I very much doubt that they will have a great impact in this area at all, except for new construction.
I do not belong to the NICEC either, for pretty much the same reasons that you outlined. I work mostly in residential and very light commercial fields (small local shopkeepers), most of whom have never heard of the organization. Like you, I've also seen work performed by members of the group the standard of which falls far short of what I would deem acceptable.
