MCS, which describes itself as the standards organisation for small-scale domestic renewable energy and heating across the UK, appointed the British Assessment Bureau (BAB) as a certification body for the installation of small-scale renewables on 26 July 20231. BAB is the third certification body appointed by MCS in the last year, following more than a decade in which no new appointments were made1.
BAB became UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited in June 2023 to assess the work of contractors to the requirements of MCS standards1. Its accreditation covers MCS assessments for solar PV, battery storage, solar heating, and the design and installation of air source heat pumps (ASHP) and ground source heat pumps (GSHP) technologies1.
MCS said the appointment would help the UK install more high-quality renewable installations in homes and businesses and support consumer confidence in home-grown energy1. Ian Rippin, chief executive of MCS, said the two organisations were working towards joint goals of providing consumer confidence and meeting the scale of government decarbonisation ambitions1.
"MCS works closely with certification bodies to provide real confidence in home-grown energy and heating to consumers and BAB join as our latest certification body at a crucial and exciting time in MCS history, as we look to redevelop our scheme."
Julian Russell, chief product officer of Amtivo, said BAB could now offer MCS certification alongside its existing services, working together with PAS 20301. MCS said BAB's existing client base and new industry entrants can now become certified to install low-carbon technologies1.
| Technology covered by BAB's MCS accreditation |
|---|
| Solar PV |
| Battery storage |
| Solar heating |
| Air source heat pumps (design and installation) |
| Ground source heat pumps |
Why it matters for households
MCS certification is the route by which installers of small-scale renewables are assessed against standards agreed by industry, and it underpins access to some government support schemes. Households weighing up MCS versus Flexi-Orb certification for home renewables are choosing between certification routes, and the number of bodies able to carry out assessments affects how many installers can hold certification and how quickly new entrants can be assessed. MCS states that BAB's accreditation covers solar PV, battery storage, solar heating and heat pump design and installation, the technologies most commonly installed in homes seeking to generate or manage their own energy1. The appointment adds a third certification body where MCS says there had been no new appointments for more than a decade, which bears on the capacity of the certification system that households rely on when checking an installer's credentials through the installers and retailers route. The wider policy context sits under regulation and policy.
What happens next
MCS said BAB's existing client base and new industry entrants can now become certified to install low-carbon technologies1. BAB invited contractors to register interest in becoming MCS certified through it1. No further dates or targets were given in the announcement.
Sources1 cited
- MCS appoints BAB as a Certification Body - MCS, mcscertified.com