Note: this replaces the original PAS 2030 scheme update technical bulletin dated 21 May 2025 and the 30 June 2025 and 9 January 2026 updates
1. Introduction
Following the report of concerns relating to a significant number of non-compliant installations carried out by certified installers of PAS 2030 energy efficiency measures, UKAS has been working with Ofgem, DESNZ, TrustMark and the accredited Certification Bodies (CBs) to determine improvements needed to the certification standards in application. UKAS has also undertaken a programme of additional assessments of CBs to ensure they are taking the necessary corrective actions.
This bulletin outlines clarifications and revised requirements that CBs shall undertake in response to feedback on learning points identified to date. These need to be considered for the certification of installers by CBs accredited by UKAS for all PAS 2030 Energy Efficiency Measures (EEM). This document differentiates the actions required of CBs undertaking evaluation of the EEM wall insulation measures concerned with the non-compliant installations and all other EEM certification activities as outlined in PAS 2030.
In January 2025, a requirement for CBs to audit 20% of identified external wall insulation (EWI) installations carried out by their certified installers was set by the Minister. Ofgem was tasked with overseeing the additional audits. Further requirements and instructions to CBs were also issued by Ofgem in its letter to the accredited installers dated 11 March 2025; accredited CBs are required to follow the requirements specified in that letter, and these requirements will be assessed as part of the ongoing programme of additional assessments.
This bulletin must be read in conjunction with PAS 2031:2019 Certification of energy efficiency measure installation in existing buildings and insulation in residential park homes. Further improvements to PAS 2031 have been identified to enhance the activities of the CBs that will be taken into account at the next revision of the specification. In the meantime, CBs accredited for certifying PAS 2030 installers are required, in addition to the requirements for accreditation set out in ISO/IEC 17065 and PAS 2031, to take account of the specific requirements set out below. CBs also need to ensure that all other relevant obligations and requirements that apply to these activities are met, e.g. compliance with Building Regulations.
2. Specific requirements (applicable to all EEM unless indicated)
2.1 Initial evaluation
2.1.1 When a certification body (CB) certifies an installer for the first time, the risk evaluation status of an installer shall be ‘high’ as detailed in Table 2 of PAS 2031:2019. Where an installer is transferring its certification to another CB, that CB shall take account of the information available concerning the existing certification held in evaluating risk. Any justification for a lower risk rating shall be fully documented.
2.1.2 The CBs will not allow an installer to hold certification for the same EEM with more than one CB. Therefore, CBs are required to have in place measures to ensure they do not certify installers that already hold certification by another CB for the same EEM. An agreed process to ensure suitable cooperation, and that actions are taken, is being established. CBs are required to ensure that they implement this agreed process to prevent dual certification of installers.
2.1.3 Where CBs are accepting new applications from an installer previously or currently holding certification, or transferring an installer to move its certification from one CB to another, (either through an organised “CB to CB transfer” or where, of their own volition, an installer leaves one CB and applies to another), the CB shall have in place procedures for the exchange of relevant information with the previous CB to ensure a full risk evaluation can be undertaken. Information requested shall include, but not be limited to:
- Details of certification held with other CBs
- Details of applications submitted to other CBs
- Details of previous surveillance audits
- Details of outstanding and/or scheduled audits by other CBs
- Information relating to the risk evaluation in accordance with PAS 2031
- Details of any open findings or outstanding remediation from previous audits
- Details of any sanctions applied by other CBs
- Details of any outstanding complaints
2.1.4 All CBs shall ensure information is provided to a new CB to support the transfer process.
2.1.5 As part of either the transfer or new application, if not already agreed as part of a “CB to CB transfer”, the new CB shall ensure it has a signed declaration from the applying business, as part of its application, to disclose and confirm that they will rectify any outstanding non-compliance or requested remediation from any certification held with a previous CB. Failure to remediate or resolve non-compliances as required may result in applicable sanctions being imposed by the new certifying CB. Transfer of certification activities shall be carried out for the accredited scope of activities only. Where the scopes of activities of the incumbent CBs are not accredited, extensions to scope should be applied for, using the normal UKAS process.
2.1.6 In line with the above, should a non-compliance or complaint be discovered after the transfer of registration under the previous CB, the new CB may be required to use the sanctions available to it to support the installer’s non-compliance or complaint resolution, which may include remediation. It is the responsibility of the new certifying CB to ensure its procedures have suitable methods of ensuring the installer operates in line with ongoing installer competency requirements as set out by the standard.
2.1.7 Reasonable lines of cooperation shall exist between the old and new CB to ensure remediation can take place. In the event that a reasonable outcome cannot be secured for the homeowner, the case shall be escalated to Trustmark.
2.2 Surveillance evaluation
2.2.1 PAS 2031:2019 requires CBs to review installers’ processes at least annually. The surveillance cycle is to begin with the date of initial certification, and the CBs are required to have in place procedures to ensure that the surveillance activities are completed within the twelve-month period. Any exceptional circumstances that prevent the completion of the activities within a twelve-month period shall be justified, and under no circumstances shall they be permitted to extend beyond a period greater than sixteen months. As previously noted, CBs are required to complete their surveillance of the 20% of identified EWI installations in accordance with the requirement set by DESNZ/Ofgem. Once this target is completed, CBs can revert to the risk-based PAS 2031 auditing levels until further notice.
2.2.2 CBs shall have processes to ensure pre-installation and mid-installation assessments are carried out live, onsite, during the correct stage of the installation.
2.2.3 In the exceptional circumstance that a surveillance year is completed late, the completion of a surveillance cycle does not change the start date, and the next surveillance cycle remains anchored to the anniversary of the initial certification.
2.2.4 During the surveillance audits, the CB shall continue to complete the risk assessment according to PAS 2031. The type and extent of findings raised during audits shall be classified and used to update an installer’s risk rating in line with PAS 2031:2019 and any additional requirements specified by Ofgem where applicable.
2.3 Action in the event of nonconformity
2.3.1 PAS 2031:2019 specifies that installer nonconformities shall be addressed within eight weeks of identification. In exceptional circumstances where nonconformities are not addressed within this timeframe, the CB shall ensure that further action shall be taken within twelve weeks of identification which may include suspension or withdrawal of the installer’s certification. Appropriate justification must be recorded where sanctions including suspensions or withdrawals have not been applied.
2.4 Reinstatement of certification
2.4.1 Certification can be reinstated following suspension. A CB shall determine the risk level associated with the reinstated certification, irrespective of any additional surveillance requirements. The justification for the risk level shall be documented.
3. UKAS Assessments
3.1 Until further notice, UKAS will carry out a quarterly assessment of CBs certifying against the PAS 2030 standard for EEM wall insulation measures. For all other CBs certifying against the PAS 2030 standard, the normal UKAS surveillance cycle will remain in place.
3.2 It is acknowledged that compliance with Clause 2.3.1 above may be difficult to achieve due to the additional and ongoing remediation work. To address this concern using a risk-based approach, UKAS shall collate, on a monthly basis, from all CBs certifying against the PAS 2030 standard for EEM wall insulation measures, information detailing the audit and inspection activity data carried out during the preceding month as outlined in the Table 1 Form issued separately to all CBs, including a list of audits planned for the following month. A review of this data will be carried out to determine the multimodal trend of compliance, and this will be combined with the outcome of the quarterly assessments to determine a decision on the acceptability of compliance with the requirements of PAS 2031 and this document. Objective evidence of improvement in the trends will determine the outcome of the assessment, and where improvement actions are identified, these will be presented to the CB and processed in the usual manner. Failure to satisfactorily address any improvement actions raised by the due date will result in initiation of the normal sanctions process in line with the terms of the UKAS Customer Agreement.
3.3 UKAS witnessed assessments (WA) for EEMs will be identified from lists of surveillance evaluations to be carried out by certification bodies. These will be carried out on a planned basis, and the EEMs to be witnessed will be identified at the time that the opportunities are identified. The numbers of witnessed assessments will be in accordance with UKAS publication CIS 8 UKAS Approach to Accreditation of PAS 2030 Certification Bodies.
The changes noted in this communication are effective immediately. Compliance with requirements stated in this Technical Bulletin will be reviewed during UKAS assessments. You are reminded of the requirement to inform UKAS of any changes that may affect your accreditation or compliance with the accreditation requirements.
Download this Technical Bulletin as a pdf here.