MCS Redeveloped Installer Scheme
The MCS Scheme has been Redeveloped!
The redeveloped Scheme is based on feedback that MCS has received from the sector and the extensive response to the public consultation MCS ran in 2023.
MCS have been working hard to deliver a new scheme that is fit for the future and accommodates the feedback that certified installers have provided. MCS and NAPIT are committed to working together with installers to drive up Standards and improve consumer protections.
Timeline for transition
MCS have published the documents for their redeveloped scheme, the new scheme will be available to installers once certification bodies have been accredited by UKAS.
NAPIT is currently working closely with UKAS to gain accreditation, once this has been gained, new applications can be accepted for certification against the new scheme.
If you wish to gain MCS certification now, you do not have to wait for the redeveloped scheme to become available; you can still apply under the current scheme here. Certification under the current scheme will remain valid and must be adhered to until you have transitioned.
Key Information
Overview of the new requirements
Upon application or transition, installers will be required to provide NAPIT and MCS with some additional details surrounding their business. These will be utilised by MCS for initial scheme checks of the business and certain employees. MCS will communicate to installers whether the outcome of these checks has been successful and if they can proceed to assessment.
NAPIT will conduct installer assessment(s) in accordance with the Conformity Assessment Guidelines. Installers will need to demonstrate, as a minimum, compliance with the following requirements:
- Pre-sale & System Performance Estimate Standards
- MCS Installation Standards (MIS)
Additionally, MCS will conduct scheme checks upon the business and certain employees to ensure that installers are in compliance with the:
- Installer Operating Requirements
- Customer Commitment
After installers have successfully completed the MCS scheme checks and relevant assessments, MCS will require them to sign a new MCS Installer Agreement. Once they have signed and returned the agreement, the installer can be certificated by NAPIT as a member of the redeveloped scheme.
All new documents of the redeveloped scheme, including standards and guidance, (as shown in the image below) can be found here or on under the 'MCS Redeveloped Standards & Tools Library' on this page.
Technical Supervisor
A Technical Supervisor is now the individual who takes overall responsibility for the safety, technical standard and quality of a specific installation.
- They must hold and be able to provide evidence of an in-date qualification or an in-date personnel certification in accordance with ISO/IEC 17024, which are listed here.
- Each installation registered on the MCS Installation Database (MID) must have an assigned Technical Supervisor designated as taking full responsibility for the compliance of the installation.
- Members will be expected to appoint a suitable number of Technical Supervisors, to accomplish the monitoring activities needed for the size and complexity of the business.
MCS have also provided guidance for supervising installation work, which can be found here.
Assessment Structure
MCS assessments will follow a similar structure to how they are currently performed, but with slight changes. The Main Contact and Technical Supervisor responsible for the installation(s) must be available through out the assessment.
1) Service Delivery Checks: NAPIT will audit your processes and controls against the scenario requirements (A-D), applicable to the size and complexity of your companies MCS related activities.
You can ascertain which scenario your company falls under, by reviewing the criteria within Appendix A of the Installer Operating Requirements and also use our MCS Operating Scenario calculator to estimate which scenario applies to the size and complexity of your company here.
2) Site Assessment: The assessor will require evidence to confirm your capability and capacity to deliver an installation, in compliance with the relevant Pre-sale Information and System Performance Estimate Standards (MCS 0xx) and MCS Installation Standard(s) (MIS 300x).
Financial Protection
Whilst under the new scheme Consumer Code membership will no longer be mandatory*, consumer protection is central to the redeveloped Scheme and is reflected in the MCS Customer Commitment.
A key new requirement for installers is to purchase an approved MCS financial protection product for every customer. Details of MCS approved financial protection products will be listed in a dedicated directory on the MCS website.
*Please note that DESNZ are currently reviewing the effectiveness of the MCS Customer Commitment for approval of it’s use in the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS). As a result, businesses who are BUS registered may be required to retain consumer code membership in the short term once they have transitioned to the redeveloped scheme. Once approved, installers can utilise the Customer Commitment or Consumer Code membership for installs delivered under BUS.
FAQs
Questions? We’ve got you covered
We’ve compiled a comprehensive FAQ section This section addresses the most common queries that have been raised regarding the redeveloped scheme.
See the FAQ document here.
Find your MCS operating scenario with a quick check and a clear outcome.
Appendix A of the MCS Installer Operating Requirements identifies operating scenarios that reflect different levels of processes and controls.
NAPIT has created the MCS Operating Scenario Calculator so you can estimate which scenario may apply to your business. Answer a short set of questions about how you operate and the tool will show the processes and controls that typically matches your business operations.
It’s a quick, self-serve check to support your transition to the MCS redeveloped scheme.
MCS Scheme Documents - Standards and Guidance
Other Resources
Below is a list of other resources, such as webinars or posts regarding the redeveloped scheme, which may provide additional information and can be recorded as Continuous Professional Development (CPD):
MCS Webpage regarding the redeveloped scheme - Redeveloped Installer Scheme - MCS Certified
NAPIT WATT'S
CURRENT Podcast
Stephen Melton, Lauren Crosgrove
& Nigel Richardson talk with MCS
MCS Webinar - Installer
& Elemental Webinar
MCS answers FAQs on its
redeveloped Installer Scheme
