Ofgem published version 2.0 of its ECO4 Guidance: New Measures and Products on 7 August 2025, changing the installation standard cited in the guidance from PAS 2030:2019 to PAS 2030:20231. The same substitution was made in the ECO4 Alternative Methodology Application Form and the ECO4 Innovation Measure Application Form, both published on 8 August 20251.
The change appears at several points. Under Standard Alternative Methodology in paragraph 1.4, "(PAS) 2030:2019" has been changed to "(PAS) 2030:2023"1. Paragraph 2.4 and Table 1 in the chapter on NMAP general eligibility and delivery requirements were amended the same way, and paragraphs 3.53, 3.54, 4.12, 4.87, 4.88, 4.89 and 4.95 follow suit1. Question 12 of the alternative methodology form, covering appropriate installation standards, was also amended from PAS 2030:2019 to PAS 2030:20231.
Ofgem states the version 2.0 updates reflect changes made by the Electricity and Gas (Energy Company Obligation) (Amendment) Order 2025 and the Electricity and Gas (Energy Company Obligation) (Amendment, Saving and Transitional Provisions) Order 2025, alongside general formatting and drafting improvements1. The Energy Consultations: How Rules Are Proposed, Decided and Changed page explains how such amendments are made.
Other changes in the same version affect the data light measures route and shared ground loop ground source heat pumps:
| Item | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| PAS reference (paragraphs 1.4, 2.4, Table 1, 3.53, 3.54, 4.12, 4.87 to 4.89, 4.95) | PAS 2030:2019 | PAS 2030:2023 |
| Data light measures cap (paragraph 1.4) | 1,250 qualifying actions per annum | 5,000 qualifying actions |
| Shared ground loop GSHPs | Not addressed in this way | Suppliers may apply from 1 August 2025 for approval as an innovation measure |
| Alternative methodology contact (paragraphs 3.7, 3.56, 3.61, 4.90, 4.93, 4.96) | ECO@ofgem.gov.uk | NMAP@ofgem.gov.uk |
The guidance records that "From 1st August 2025, suppliers may apply for shared ground loop GSHPs to be approved as an innovation measure as a result of the legislative amendments to the ECO4 Order"1. It adds that these measures "must be lodged with TrustMark (or an equivalent) and delivered by a TrustMark (or an equivalent) registered business"1. On the cap, it states: "Each DLM will be capped at 5,000 qualifying actions"1.
"These updates reflect changes made by the Electricity and Gas (Energy Company Obligation) (Amendment) Order 2025 and the Electricity and Gas (Energy Company Obligation) (Amendment, Saving and Transitional Provisions) Order 2025."
Why it matters for households
PAS 2030 is the standard against which retrofit installers are certified, so the version named in ECO4 guidance determines which certification a household is likely to see quoted when work is funded through the scheme. The installers-retailers hub covers how installers are certified and what households encounter at the point of quotation.
The data light measures cap change matters where a measure is delivered under that route: the ceiling per measure rose from 1,250 qualifying actions per annum to 5,000 across the scheme, which affects how many homes can receive such a measure. The shared ground loop provision widens what can be put forward as an innovation measure, which is relevant to homes considering a ground source heat pump shared with neighbouring properties rather than a unit serving one property. The Getting Quotes for a Home Energy Installation page covers what a quotation should contain.
What happens next
The guidance summary also records a later version 3.0, published 26 March 2026, which reflects an extension of ECO4 by nine months to 31 December 2026 under the Electricity and Gas (Energy Company Obligation) (Amendment) Order 2026 and the Electricity and Gas (Energy Company Obligation) (Amendment) (Specified Period) Order 20261. That version adds deadlines for innovation measure and data light measure applications, and states that after 31 March 2026 an application cannot be submitted via the data light measures route1.
Sources1 cited
- ECO4 Guidance: New Measures and Products, ofgem.gov.uk