The Scottish Government published its Heat in Buildings Strategy Quality Assurance Policy Statement in May 2022, setting out how it will assure the quality of energy efficiency and microgeneration work funded through its own schemes1. The statement was issued under Patrick Harvie MSP, Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants' Rights1.
The central change concerns supplier approval. For the successor to the Home Energy Scotland loans and cashback scheme, applicants must use approved suppliers through Scotland's TrustMark scheme for energy efficiency work, while microgeneration work retains the existing requirement for Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) approved suppliers1. The statement says this requirement will also apply to future schemes and programmes where appropriate1. The current scheme offers up to £100k to support implementation of carbon-saving measures such as renewable heating and insulation, with up to £20k cashback available in some instances1. At present a householder can apply to use an unaccredited installer in exceptional circumstances where no local installer meeting the scheme's requirements can be found1.
"For our forthcoming successor to the Home Energy Scotland loans and cashback scheme, we will introduce a new requirement that applicants must use approved suppliers through Scotland's TrustMark scheme for energy efficiency work."
On standards and skills, the statement commits to integrating the Scottish installer skills matrix into both the BSI PAS 2030 installer standards and MCS installer standards in 20221. It also commits to working with the British Standards Institution to establish an expert technical group advising on retrofit standards in Scotland1. The BSI PAS 2035/30 standards cover 41 different energy efficiency measures, and PAS 2035 was published by BSI in June 20191. The statement notes that energy efficiency measures delivered as part of its ABS projects must conform to quality standards required to obtain a guarantee, such as those from the Solid Wall Insulation Guarantee Agency1.
The statement also addresses enforcement and engagement. It commits to working with stakeholders including Trading Standards Scotland to prevent scams and support improved enforcement against rogue traders in Scotland1. It says it will investigate an online portal powered by TrustMark and MCS to help consumers find approved suppliers in Scotland1. The document states there are no regulatory requirements to comply with the proposed TrustMark scheme for Scotland or the existing MCS scheme1.
Why it matters for households
For a household using Scottish Government support, the practical effect is a narrowing of who can carry out the work. Energy efficiency measures funded through the successor loans and cashback scheme will need a supplier approved under Scotland's TrustMark scheme, while microgeneration work such as solar or heat pumps continues to require an MCS approved supplier1. The statement frames this as consumer protection: assurance that work is done to standard, with warranties and guarantees backed by independent inspection and a single point of contact for complaints1. It also acknowledges that meeting the standards may add cost to a project, arguing the value of quality assurance outweighs this given the potential cost of remedial work1. Because the requirements apply to government-funded schemes rather than to all work, a household paying privately is not covered by them, and the statement confirms there is no regulatory requirement to use TrustMark or MCS suppliers1. The policy sits within devolved Scottish powers over energy and buildings, and the statement says it will serve as the foundation for future domestic householder support1.
What happens next
The statement lists dated milestones1:
| Action | Timing |
|---|---|
| Scottish installer skills matrix integrated into PAS 2030 and MCS standards | MCS Spring 2022 |
| Virtual National Public Energy Agency in place | September 2022 |
| Scottish Retrofit Standards Working Group set up to oversee PAS 2035/30 in Scotland | Summer 2022 |
| TrustMark scheme for Scotland set up and ready for suppliers to join | Summer 2022 |
| Supply Chain Delivery Plan published | Late Summer 2022 |
| Scottish Quality Assurance Consumer Oversight Group set up | Autumn 2022 |
| New online consumer portal to find approved suppliers in Scotland | Autumn 2022 |
| Relaunch of HES loans and cashback scheme with TrustMark/MCS supplier requirement | Autumn 2022 |
The virtual Agency is described as a stepping stone towards a dedicated body, which will coordinate and scale up delivery of the heat decarbonisation agenda from 2025 onwards1. The statement says the Scottish Government is procuring a new enhanced successor to the Warmer Homes Scotland Scheme, due to go live when the current contract expires, delivering a quality assured retrofit process adopting PAS 2030/2035 standards1. The statement does not give a date for that contract expiry1.