Supply Chain Advice Pack: The Microgeneration Certification Scheme

Overview

The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) is an independent certification scheme that covers microgeneration (renewable energy) products and installers. MCS also sets, defines, and maintains standards for low carbon energy technology products, contractors and their installations. Included within this are heat pumps, solar, technology, biomass, small wind and battery storage installations.

MCS is used with other compliance bodies under the PAS 2030 & 2035 framework. Installer must be able to evidence compliance with the standard.

What are the benefits of the MCS competency standard?

Key benefits of MCS certification are as follows:
• Enables contractors to demonstrate how their teams meet the competency requirements to support large scale retrofit delivery.

• Evidence to your clients that you have appropriately trained and certified your teams to install low carbon and renewable energy technologies.

• There are no limits to the size of company that can gain certification, meaning it is available for sole trades and large companies.

How do you gain certification?

To become a certified installer, the first step is to contact one of the approved bodies to make an application to become MCS certified. The certification applies to each technology that you want to install.

Each certification body has their own process and guidance information on the Scheme. Information on their requirements can be found on the MCS website.

It is possible that your organisation is already operating within the domestic RMI sector and therefore you may already have a pre-existing relationship with a particular certification body. It is recommended that you check other bodies to identify the best one for your application.

What will you need to evidence?

To apply for MCS certification you will need to evidence the following:

• An appropriate QMS to cover your organisation’s role in retrofit works.

• A commitment to customer care of your organisation by joining either the Renewable Energy Consumer Code (RECC) or the Home Insulation & Energy systems Quality Assured Contracts Scheme (HIES).

• Evidence of commitment to the quality of works that you plan to undertake by achieving compliance with one of the approved certification bodies.

• A Nominated Technical Person (NTP) for each technology you plan to gain certification for.

• Evidence of good document management for both internal and external documentation.

What are the barriers?

There are challenges and barriers associated with MCS accreditation. Some of these are as follows:

• Gaining MCS certification can require a significant time investment, something which is more challenging for SMEs or sole traders who have limited ability to invest.

• You may need to find a willing first customer or fund the first installation yourself to gain certification. Alternatively, you can complete an MCS approved and regulated training course on the technologies you want to install before having a first installation independently assessed, post completion.