What is an MCS certificate?

What is an MCS certificate and what does it stand for? MCS stands for Microgeneration Certification Scheme. It’s a quality assurance scheme set up in 2007 to increase public confidence in low-carbon energy technology. Although An MCS certificate is not a mandatory or legal requirement for system installation, it is proof that the installation has been designed, installed & commissioned to the highest standard using only MCS certified products by an MCS certified installer. An MCS certificate is required for those who wish to receive Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) or Feed in Tariff (FiT) payments. In Spring this year, the MCS certification process was streamlined, in recognition of the fact that those that have been through formal training and assessment have already been assessed on key technical aspects of their chosen technology. This change has been made to facilitate the scheme’s accessibility and respond to growing consumer demand for renewable technologies that decarbonise a home’s energy, heating and hot water.  

How to become an MCS installer?

On its website MCS explains how the updated process will work: “This new route will remove one of the biggest barriers that new installer companies have previously faced, in that they have needed to secure and complete their first installation, before they can be recognised under MCS. It is this first installation that a Certification Body assesses as part of the process of awarding company certification.  In the future, a newly qualified installer, will be able to complete their first installation and it attract an MCS certificate. This installation will need to be independently assessed by a Certification Body to determine the installation’s compliance with MCS standards, before the installer is able to proceed with further installations under MCS.”  Installation companies seeking certification, will need to have at least one Nominated Technical Person (NTP) who holds an MCS approved qualification for each technology that the company installs. An individual installer will need to achieve a qualification in the installation of their chosen technology and once qualified, can either:

• associate themselves with an existing MCS certified company as their NTP, or
• proceed with a new application for MCS company certification, either for their own business or the business they work for.

MCS has been working with BPEC and LCL Awards to develop new certification process and to ensure that their Heat Pump installation training materials and assessments are up to date. Work will soon extend to other technologies covered by MCS.  Watch this space. For more information on MCS, please visit the organisation’s website: mcscertified.com