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Simply Certification becomes the newest MCS certification body

The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) has welcomed Simply Certification, its newest contractor certification body (CB), for the installation of small-scale renewables.

Simply Certification is the second CB appointed by MCS since 2022. It now offers MCS certification alongside APHC, NICEIC, HETAS, OFTEC, NAPIT and the IAA.

Since becoming UKAS (UK Accreditation Service) accredited in April to assess contractors to MCS standards, Simply’s client base of over 200 construction organisations and any new clients it attracts can now gain MCS certification to install low-carbon technologies to the highest standards.

It is now licensed under MCS to deliver assessments for air source heat pumps (ASHP) ground/water source heat pumps (G/WSHP), solar PV and solar heating technologies.

Simply Certification is recognised for its ethos around quality and supportive approaches to certification, MCS accreditation complements its existing offering which benefits from its industry partnerships.

Ian Rippin, CEO of MCS, says, “We are pleased to broaden our selection of certification bodies and increase choice for contractors who want to gain MCS certification by welcoming Simply Certification to the scheme.

“Simply Certification join us at an exciting and pivotal time in MCS’s history as we launch our Scheme Redevelopment Consultation. This is inviting views on proposals to transform the way that the scheme operates. Simply Certification will allow MCS to expand our industry reach, and help us to champion quality and grow the number of MCS certified contractors.”

Alexandra Gates, Managing Director at Simply Certification, says, “We’re delighted to gain UKAS accreditation to certify contractors against the MCS standards. We’ve worked exceptionally hard to put in place an MCS assessor infrastructure that ensures the highest degrees of responsiveness and have a wide-reaching base of assessors stretching from Scotland down to the Isle of Wight. This latest achievement is a testament to the amazing team we have at Simply Certification.

“Our mission is to be the certification body of choice for businesses that operate within the built environment sector, and we continue to make progress towards that ambition. Over the last few months, we’ve been working closely with a range of stakeholders to help grow the UK retrofit supply chain and a number of our projects are coming to fruition making the pathway to certification and compliance a much smoother process.”

Richard Wiffen, Scheme Manager at Simply Certification, adds, “We’re uniquely positioned in that our focus and expertise is within the built environment – particularly around sustainability – delivering a range of ISO standards as well as PAS 2030 and now MCS Certification. This latest accreditation will add enormous value for our customers.”

Simply Certification becomes the newest MCS certification body

The Great British Insulation Scheme

What is The Great British Insulation Scheme?

Designed to be complementary to the current ECO scheme, which is known as ECO4, The Great British Insulation Scheme (previously known as ECO Plus) has an anticipated spend of £1 Billion and improve 300,000 homes.

It is designed to deliver improvements to the least energy-efficient dwellings in Great Britain to tackle fuel poverty and help reduce energy bills.

This scheme will mostly deliver single insulation measures.

Which areas does it cover?

The scheme will operated across Great Britain.

Which standards and measures will The Great British Insulation Scheme cover?

The Government have decided that all measures must be delivered under PAS 2035 (meaning installers will need PAS 2030) including the simpler measures:

  • B1 Cavity wall insulation (including party walls)
  • B4 and B8 Solid wall insulation (both external and internal)
  • B5 Flat roof insulation
  • B6 Under floor insulation/Solid floor insulation
  • B9 Loft insulation
  • B10 Pitched roof insulation
  • B12 Room-in-roof insulation
  • B13 Park home insulation

When will it run?

The scheme will launch by Summer 2023 and run until March 2026.

What are the benefits to households?

The government believe the scheme will save households around £310 a year.

Who will qualify?

As well as supporting low-income and vulnerable households, it will also be available to those living in homes with an Energy Performance Certificate rating of D-G, and within Council Tax bands A-D in England and A-E in Scotland and Wales.

How do I gain the right certification so I can operate under this scheme?

As an installer you will need to install under PAS 2035 – which means you will need PAS 2030. Contact our team today to find out more.

Simply gain UKAS accreditation to deliver MCS

Another UKAS accreditation for Simply Certification

After launching during the turbulence of a world wide pandemic, Simply Certification continue to break the mould and go from strength to strength.

The latest achievement is successfully gaining accreditation to deliver MCS assessments covering the technologies:

  • Heat Pumps (Ground and Air)
  • Solar Panels
  • Solar Thermal

with Battery Storage coming soon.

“Offering certification across the built environment lifecycle, which is ideal for contractors operating in this environment.”

Richard Wiffen, Simply’s Green Scheme Manager explains:

“It’s such an exciting time for Simply Certification. Having joined the business only in June 2022 I’ve first hand experience of seeing the customer base growing substantially across all standards that the business offers.

We’re uniquely positioned in that our focus and expertise is within the built environment – particularly around sustainability – delivering a range of ISO standards as well as PAS 2030 and now MCS – which is a particular strong combination adding huge value to our customers.

On top of this, due to us being recognised for our ethos around quality and supportive approach, we are forming strong partnerships within industry that will also compliment our schemes which all will be announced soon.”

“… enabling the pathway to certification and compliance to be a much smoother process and remove perceived barriers”

Alex Gates, Simply’s MD goes on to state:

“We’re delighted to gain yet another accreditation from UKAS. We’ve worked exceptionally hard and this latest achievement is a testament to the amazing team we have at Simply.

Our mission was to be the certification body of choice for businesses that operate within the Built Environment sector, and we’re certainly making waves!

Over the last few months I’ve been working closely with a range of stakeholders to help grow the UK supply chain within retrofit and we have a number of projects coming to fruition enabling the pathway to certification and compliance to be a much smoother process and remove perceived barriers.”

You can apply today for any of our Energy Efficiency and Retrofit Certifications or contact our team for more information.

Six mighty good reasons to gain MCS, PAS 2030 and TrustMark

The need for more PAS 2030 certified and TrustMark registered contractors is growing rapidly.

With a target for the UK to reach Net Zero by 2050 one of the key requirements is to address the issue of poor energy efficiency performance in homes.

The link to soaring energy prices, unhealthy homes due to damp and mould and a cost of living crisis is also driving more landlords and home owners to invest into the retrofit of their properties with insulation measures and renewable technologies.

24 Million Homes and Six Funding Schemes

There is an estimated 24 million domestic properties and currently six funding schemes that need contractors that have the relevant certification and proven competency.

So the opportunity is HUGE.

What are the funding schemes?

  1. Green Rewards – Brand new initiatives have been launched and there is likely to be more. This is non-government funding, aimed at the able to pay market; banks and building societies are releasing loans and cash back rewards to encourage home owners to retrofit their homes from TrustMark registered businesses.
  2. Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund – We have established relationships with primary contractors who have been successful in securing funding for SHDF. They have asked Simply Certification to introduce our clients once certified, as they are extending their supply chains to deliver larger schemes.
  3. ECO4 – Currently under the fourth wave The Energy Company Obligation is aimed at lower income homes that need multiple energy efficiency measures installed to help combat fuel poverty.
  4. ECO Plus – Get ready for the complementary scheme to ECO4 which is currently under consultation and due to start in the Spring.
  5. Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) – The HUG scheme is designed for the improvement of energy performance and heating systems for off gas grid homes in England.
  6. Local Authority Delivery (LAD) – Currently under the third phase LAD schemes are managed by local authorities to target low income homes in their area.

To qualify to deliver under these you will need to be a TrustMark registered business and hold the relevant certification for the measures or technologies that you install.

The future

We know the wider importance to stop homes damaging the planet.

We also know that homeowners and tenants are trying to reduce their spend on energy costs.

We know that properties that are poorly ventilated are causing damage to the health of the occupiers.

All of these reasons are forcing a serious and committed drive for change and a significant increase in the UK supply chain of certified installers.

If you are a contractor that delivers home improvements, then being part of this supply chain will not only future proof your business and open up opportunities but you will also be supporting a cause that will protect the most vulnerable as well as helping to achieve Net-Zero and protect our environment.

More information?

Contact our friendly team who will take you through the various options:

T: 0191 323 3960

E: hello@simplycertification.co.uk

 

 

Tag Archive for: MCS

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