Intertek Shanghai has been announced as the latest MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) product certification body, according to MCS, which published the news on 31 July 20241. The organisation becomes the tenth MCS product certification body and the second to be based outside Europe, and will focus on the product certification of solar panels and heat pumps1.
MCS describes itself as the standards organisation for small-scale renewable energy and heating across the UK, requiring both installers and product manufacturers to adhere to industry-recognised standards1. Product certification to MCS standards is managed by accredited certification bodies such as Intertek Shanghai, which assess products to ensure they comply with the quality standards required under MCS, allowing them to award use of the MCS certification mark to products that have been rigorously tested1. The heat pump standards, testing and certification route and the wider manufacturer certification and approvals framework set out how product listing works.
MCS reported growth in the number of manufacturers holding certified products. There are currently 131 manufacturers with MCS certified heat pump products, a 25% increase over the last 12 months, while the figure for solar panels stands at 181, a 9% increase over the same period1. As a result, there are now more than 1,500 MCS certified heat pump products and over 90,000 solar panel products1.
| Measure | Figure | Change over 12 months |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturers with MCS certified heat pump products | 131 | +25% |
| Manufacturers with MCS certified solar products | 181 | +9% |
| MCS certified heat pump products | More than 1,500 | Not reported |
| MCS certified solar panel products | More than 90,000 | Not reported |
Ian Rippin, CEO at MCS, said:
"This is where accredited product certification bodies have a really important role to play in strengthening the UK supply chain for renewable technologies. They provide rigorous testing of products to ensure they are high-quality and certified, which ultimately broadens choice for installers and consumers alike. Intertek Shanghai has a fantastic reputation in the testing, inspection and certification sector, so it's great to welcome them as our second product certification body outside of Europe."
Ms. Jessica Li, General Manager of Certification & GMAP of Intertek Electrical Shanghai, said the accreditation means the organisation can directly issue MCS certificates to local enterprises, helping Chinese manufacturers to enter the UK and European markets1.
Why it matters for households
MCS certification is the route by which a heat pump or solar panel product is recognised under the scheme that underpins access to certain UK incentives and to installer familiarity. A tenth certification body, and a second outside Europe, widens the set of organisations able to test products and award the MCS mark1. For a household, the practical effect described by MCS is a broader choice of certified products available to installers and consumers, rather than any change to the standards themselves1. The solar panel manufacturers page covers who makes the modules sold in the UK, and the standards bodies page explains the roles of BSI, IET, CIBSE and certification bodies.
MCS also reported that solar panel installations have surpassed the 1.5 million mark, an increase of 38% over the past 12 months, and that heat pumps are on track for a record-breaking year in 20241. The number of MCS certified contractors rose by 38% over the past 12 months1.
What happens next
MCS said Intertek Shanghai and MCS will collaborate to explore cutting-edge renewable technologies, ensure the quality and sustainability of products, and create opportunities to drive progress against net zero goals1. No further dated steps were given. The full listing of products certified through product certification bodies is held in the MCS Product Directory1.
Sources1 cited
- Intertek Shanghai - Our newest product Certification Body - MCS, mcscertified.com