Green Deal certification
The Energy Saving Trust is working with UKAS on a pilot scheme for the Green Deal that will give certification to companies that offer Green Deal services - both advisors and installers.
The Green Deal
The Energy Bill introduced to Parliament on 8 December 2010 includes provision for the new ' Green Deal', which is intended to revolutionise the energy efficiency of British properties.
The Government is establishing a framework to enable private firms to offer consumers energy efficiency improvements to their homes, community spaces and businesses at no upfront cost, and to recoup payments through a charge in instalments on the energy bill. Find out more at the DECC website.
The role for accreditation and certification
Robust standards and consumer protection are at the heart of making the Green Deal successful and are seen as a DECC priority. To operate effectively, the Green Deal will require a system for the large number of advisors and installers who will be going in to consumer’s homes. These advisors and installers will need to be assessed for suitability and appointed as such. In order for this to happen in a consistent, robust and independent manner, accredited certification will be mandatory for this activity.
Go early pilot proposal
Earlier this year UKAS announced the intention for a ‘Go early’ pilot scheme for Green Deal Certification. This pilot will run between December 2011 and March 2012. The objectives of the pilot are to develop the necessary procedures and competencies in order to enable UKAS to accredit certification bodies under Green Deal. These certification bodies will in turn be able to undertake certification of companies wishing to offer both installer and advisor services against the necessary standard. Participants in the pilot will be subject to assessment through UKAS and on timely completion of the program requirements will be accredited to the EN45011 for certification and or advisory services. This offers a real opportunity for both potential certification bodies and the companies they work with on the pilot to test and feedback learning and to get ready for Green Deal.
EST’s role
The Energy Saving Trust has had confirmation that it will be a pilot participant for both the advisor and the installer service schemes. We already have UKAS accreditation EN45011 for our Endorsed Advice and Energy Saving Trust Recommended schemes. Since September we have been setting up our processes for the pilot scheme.
Information for participants
The Energy Saving Trust has now selected its partners for the first round of this scheme, although we do anticipate that there will be further rounds. If you are interested in becoming a pilot partner in the future please email greendealcert@est.org.uk, telling us what service you are interested in becoming certified for.
Organisations participating in the Green Deal Advisor Service pilot will need to complete the Quality management system checklist as part of their application.
Please read these standards to ensure that your company is able to meet the requirements for certification:
- for installers, the Green Deal Standard 'PAS 2030 - Improving the energy efficiency of existing buildings' has now been published - go to the BSI Shop website to buy a copy
- for advisor services, the Green Deal Standard is still under review and will be posted here once finalised.
Find out more
The Energy Saving Trust hope to be able to provide full Green Deal Certification once we have completed the pilot scheme. If you are interested in becoming a Green Deal certified installer or assessor please email greendealcert@est.org.uk and we will be in touch when we are able to offer this service.
