How does MCS work?
MCS is an internationally recognised quality assurance scheme which demonstrates the quality and reliability of approved products and installation companies.
For certified products, this is ensured through satisfying rigorous and established European and International standards. Installer certification includes assessing the supply, design, installation, set-to-work, and commissioning of renewable microgeneration technologies. Similar to the Gas Safe Register, MCS gives installers a mark of quality and demonstrates to customers that installations are completed to the highest quality every time.
Third Party Certification
Third party certification is an assessment carried out by an independent, third party organisation to ensure compliance with a technical specification. The Certification Bodies that carry out MCS certification and assessment are accredited by UKAS and licensed by the MCS Licensee to issue MCS certification when the assessment is successfully completed. All MCS standards and scheme requirements are publicly available on MCS Standards section of this website.
This means that a company that holds MCS certification has demonstrated to the Certification Body that they meet the requirements outlined in the relevant MCS standards and scheme requirements. Furthermore, MCS certified companies are required to comply with annual surveillance audits to ensure an ongoing compliance to these standards and scheme requirements.
Customer Complaints
In the event that any requirements are not met, the Certification Body will issue a non-conformity and request the company to rectify the issue. This allows the Certification Body to help with resolving any consumer complaints in relation to the technical aspects of an installation carried out by a certified installer. Product faults are usually covered by manufacturer's guarantee, but the product Certification Body may be able to investigate any performance related complaints.
MCS and the accredited Certification Bodies will always try to assist the consumers in the event of any problems with the installation carried out by the MCS installer. However, if the certified installer has left the scheme or has ceased to trade, it will fall outside of the scope of MCS to take any measures. If no warrantees were provided by the installer at the time of installation, the consumer will most likely incur additional costs when carrying out any remedial works. For information on warrantees and how to make a complaint please visit the consumer area of this website.