Optical Gas Imaging: Shaping the future of fugitive emissions assurance | New Programmes

About the programme

Fugitive emissions are an increasingly important focus for industry, regulators and environmental stakeholders. UKAS is developing accreditation to support trusted, consistent and technically robust conformity assessment in this developing area, helping to build confidence in the detection, reporting and management of emissions that may otherwise go unnoticed. 

The programme will explore the use of Optical Gas Imaging, alongside complementary techniques such as photoionisation detection, to establish an accreditation approach that is practical, credible and aligned with the needs of the market. Through the pilot, UKAS will work with participating bodies to test the most appropriate objectives, scope and assessment model for this emerging field. 

Standards under consideration

The pilot will help define the most suitable accreditation route at IAF Level 3, ensuring the final model reflects the nature of the activities being assessed and provides a strong foundation for confidence in accredited services. Potential routes include: 

• ISO/IEC 17020 — inspection activities involving the determination of conformity against specified requirements.

• ISO/IEC 17025 — testing activities involving the determination of characteristics in accordance with defined procedures.
• ISO/IEC 17065 — third-party certification of a product, process or service.

The programme will also consider relevant IAF Level 5 standards and methods, helping to ensure the technical basis for assessment is clear, appropriate and aligned with recognised practice. These may include:

• BS EN 15446:2008. 

• BS EN 17628:2022. 

• US EPA Method 21:2017. 

An opportunity to help shape the pilot 

UKAS is now inviting applications from certification bodies interested in taking part in the pilot programme. Participants will have the opportunity to work directly with the UKAS Development Team to test, shape and refine the accreditation approach for fugitive emissions detection. 

The pilot will examine how certification bodies can be assessed against the relevant ISO standard and associated emissions criteria, using practical evaluation and stakeholder input to create a robust and workable methodology. The aim is to support reliable assessments, consistent decision-making and stronger confidence for users of accredited services.