BRE gains UKAS for the microgeneration scheme

BRE Global has gained UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) accreditation as scheme operator for the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).

As scheme operator, the organisation has been awarded accreditation for the certification of installers, heat pumps, solar heating collectors, micro wind turbines and non-roof integrated photo voltaic products.

Richard Phillips, scheme manager at BRE Global, said: “The industry can’t afford to use products and services that have not been vetted to the highest standards and this accreditation shows our continuing commitment to maintaining high levels of service quality.”

This is expected to be extended to cover roof integrated solar photo voltaics, inverters, biomass, hydro turbines, combined heat and power and fuel cell products once standards have been completed later this year.

Malcolm Wicks, minister for energy, said: “By improving reliability and offering consumer protection, we expect the scheme to play a key part in driving up quality and creating a sustainable market for microgeneration products and installers in the UK.”

To gain accreditation, BRE has undergone a three-month vetting process to thoroughly examine procedures and processes and is committed to annual surveillance visits, plus a full reassessment at four-yearly intervals.

UKAS is the national accreditation body, recognised by the government to assess certification organisations to internationally recognised standards.