The Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has appointed the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) to offer certification bodies accreditation under EN 45011 as a first stage in ensuring that the new Green Deal standards for installers and assessors are met. This will allow the accredited certification bodies to certify assessors and installers to operate under the Green Deal. This scheme aims to be in full operation by October 2012.
DECC believes the Green Deal will revolutionise the energy efficiency of British properties. Following an assessment, consumers may be offered energy efficiency improvements at no up-front cost. Instead, the value of the investment will be recouped through a charge on the energy bill, fixed to the property.
To provide reassurance to those undertaking Green Deal improvements on their homes, community spaces and businesses, DECC has announced that it will require installers and assessors to be subject to accredited certification. UKAS accreditation underpins the certification process for the Green Deal. It will provide end consumers with confidence that there is a complete chain of competence right through to the organisations or individuals undertaking the Green Deal projects.
As Greg Barker, Minister of State at DECC, said when making the announcement:
“The Green Deal will be the biggest home improvement programme since the Second World War, shifting our outdated draughty homes from the past into the future, so it’s vital people can trust it. I’m therefore pleased to appoint UKAS to ensure that installers and assessors will meet the necessary standards when the Green Deal starts next year.”
UKAS is inviting expressions of interest from UK-based certification bodies to participate in pilot programmes for accredited certification of Green Deal assessors and installers. The pilot will provide the opportunity for certification bodies to achieve accreditation under EN 45011 for certification of installers and assessors against the specifications, which are currently being drafted. DECC has indicated that limited financial support may be available for certification bodies participating in the pilot programme to assist with some of the accreditation costs. Further details of this support will be supplied by DECC at a later date.
The appointment of UKAS to support the Green Deal in this way is another indication of the Government’s increasing use of accreditation to provide confidence in the services needed to deliver policy initiatives over a growing field of activity.