The Scottish Government published a quality assurance policy statement for its Heat in Buildings strategy on 7 June 20221. The statement sets out planned actions on approved suppliers, retrofit standards, installer skills, scams and mis-selling, and public engagement in Scotland1.
Under the plans, the government will work with TrustMark to develop a quality assurance scheme for Scotland, enabling domestic consumers, including private sector landlords, to access approved suppliers in line with the principles of the British Standards Institution (BSI) Publicly Available Specification (PAS) 2035/30 standards1. For the forthcoming successor to the Home Energy Scotland loans and cashback scheme, applicants will be required to use approved suppliers through Scotland's TrustMark scheme for energy efficiency work, while microgeneration work will retain the current requirement for Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) approved suppliers1. The statement says this requirement will also apply to future schemes and programmes where appropriate1.
The government said it will integrate the Scottish installer skills matrix into both the BSI PAS 2030 installer standards and MCS installer standards in 20221. It will also set up a Scottish Quality Assurance Consumer Oversight Group to oversee the implementation of the Scottish TrustMark energy efficiency approval scheme and changes to the existing MCS scheme1. The statement says the group is expected to include consumer organisations and industry representatives, with TrustMark and MCS also having representatives3.
On enforcement, the government said it will work with stakeholders including Trading Standards Scotland to prevent scams and support improved enforcement action against rogue traders in Scotland1. It will investigate the development of an online portal powered by TrustMark and MCS to help consumers find approved suppliers in Scotland1. The statement also says any supplier approved under the TrustMark scheme and/or MCS will be subject to screening, including checks against Trading Standards systems3.
The statement notes that there are no regulatory requirements to comply with the proposed TrustMark scheme for Scotland or the existing MCS4. It says the government estimates there will be an increase in costs associated with TrustMark approvals and compliance with PAS 2035/30 standards, but that it believes the value of ensuring work is completed to high standards and protecting consumers from rogue operators outweighs this3.
"We will work with TrustMark to develop a quality assurance scheme for Scotland which will enable domestic consumers, including private sector landlords, to access approved suppliers"
The statement also covers non-domestic support schemes, where the government said it will work with stakeholders to look at quality issues experienced by businesses and consider the role of BSI PAS 2038 retrofit standards and an appropriate approval mechanism1. It notes that unlike PAS 2035/30 there is currently no approval mechanism for these standards, as TrustMark covers domestic only3.
Why it matters for households
The statement concerns work funded through Scottish Government schemes rather than a general legal requirement. It says there are no regulatory requirements to comply with the proposed TrustMark scheme for Scotland or the existing MCS4, so the new supplier requirements apply to the successor to the Home Energy Scotland loans and cashback scheme and, where appropriate, future programmes1. For households using those schemes, the practical effect is that energy efficiency work would need to be carried out by a supplier approved through the Scottish TrustMark scheme, while microgeneration such as heat pumps would continue to require MCS approved suppliers1. The statement describes a screening process for approved suppliers, including checks against Trading Standards systems, and monitoring of installations and customer service, with possible sanctions including suspension or removal from the scheme3. It also sets out plans for a consumer oversight group and improved redress pathways3. The government acknowledges that some householders, particularly in rural areas, may find it difficult to find an accredited installer, and says it will consider options for those unable to find a TrustMark or MCS accredited installer for its new schemes3.
What happens next
The statement says the government will work with the new virtual National Public Energy Agency, and a future dedicated body, from Autumn 2022 to ensure messages, advice and support reach all consumer groups across Scotland1. The virtual Agency is to be put in place by September 2022 as a stepping stone towards a dedicated body, with an independent Strategic Board being developed to steer its overall development work from September 20223. The statement says the new Home Energy Scotland loans and cashback scheme is due to launch later in 20224. The government also says it will work with the BSI to establish an expert technical group to advise on retrofit standards in Scotland1.
Sources4 cited
- 2. Summary of Key Actions - Heat in Buildings strategy - quality assurance: policy statement - gov.scot, gov.scot
- Heat in Buildings strategy - quality assurance: policy statement - gov.scot, gov.scot
- 4. Improving Quality Assurance - Heat in Buildings strategy - quality assurance: policy statement - gov.scot, gov.scot
- 3. Overview - Heat in Buildings strategy - quality assurance: policy statement - gov.scot, gov.scot