Partner organisation MCS presents its regular column for REI
Opinion
Final
reminder
This month’s column is to remind
installers and manufacturers regarding
the extension of the deadline for the
implementation of MCS 012, and use
of compliant products under the MCS
scheme
MCS 012 is designed to provide ongoing independent, third party
assessment and approval of companies who wish to demonstrate that
their pitched roof installation kits or components meet and continue to
meet the requirements of this standard.
Please note, the requirements of this Standard are not applicable to
installations on flat roofs which will be covered by a separate Standard.
Earlier this year, MCS reviewed the situation in advance of the
original 31 March implementation date for MCS 012. It was found that,
whilst a significant number of applications for the MCS 012 certification
of pitched roof installation kits and components have been received by
Certification Bodies; just 21 products had been certificated as MCS 012
compliant at time of writing.
As a result of this small number of approved products confirmed as
being certified for use, and uncertainty over the timing for completion of
testing, certification and listing of products currently in the certification
process, it has been agreed by MCS that the mandatory implementation
date of MCS 012 will be delayed by three months to June 30th 2014.
MCS has taken this decision to protect installers who may have
found themselves with a dramatically reduced number of MCS 012
certified products available for use on projects from 1st April.
The June 30 deadline will not be extended.
Those manufacturers who have already obtained certification and
correct registration by 31 March are commended for their professional
approach and timely works to achieve compliance.
Manufacturers who have not yet achieved compliance are urged to
complete their works with utmost urgency.
10 | www.renewableenergyinstaller.co.uk
So the domestic RHI is launched and
applications are being submitted
which is good news indeed. It’s good
for consumers, particularly those who
do not have access to mains gas; it’s
good for installers looking to broaden
their businesses and it’s good for those
manufacturers and distributors who have
invested in the market.
It’s a world first of which we should
be proud but now we need to see a
transfer from policy to delivery.
The officials at DECC responsible
for the scheme have been very busy in
attending lots of events, including many
of ours, to both give out information and
to listen to reactions and comments.
This approach is to be welcomed and
encouraged.
Now we must see how effective the
scheme is in accelerating the uptake of
renewable heating systems and, whilst
very early signs are favourable, it is
much too soon to make any meaningful
conclusions. No doubt many people will be
keen to see the scheme statistics. Monthly
updates of progress will be published on
the gov.uk website. The monthly data will
include the estimation of the total amount
of committed expenditure for each tariff for
the next 12 months. This will be based on
applications accredited and applications
received.
After three months we will also see
the first round of legacy applications
from those that received Renewable Heat
Premium Payments before 20th May 2013.
So far, so good.