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Benets of using NQA for the certication of your product(s) Product certication Requirements for certicating an MCS product Steps to getting a product certied Technical review and the outcome of the assessment The nal stage After the product is certied Product certication process 3 3 4 6 7 7 7 8
NQAs mission is to enable organisations to improve performance, achieve best practice and manage risk through the provision of certication, assessment, training and support services globally.
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The Microgeneration Certication Scheme (MCS) has been introduced by the UK Government to encourage the installation and use of microgeneration technology that will reduce the UKs dependency on fossil fuels and lower harmful emissions. MCS provides a certication process for both products and installers that meet published standards.
The MCS provides information to consumers about microgeneration products and installation services that are available in the marketplace that have been subjected to a rigorous qualifying process, designed to allow users to purchase qualifying products and services with condence. NQA is part of the Ascertiva Group and Ascertiva operate MCS for both Product Certication and Installer Approval. This guide explains the Product Certication Scheme operated by NQA, including the process by which Producers may qualify their products as MCS Approved through assessment and certication. For Installers wishing to certify as an Approved Installer under the MCS, this is subject to a separate application, assessment and certication process provided by NICEIC (www.niceic.com). The purpose of this guide is to assist Producers and Producers with the requirements of the MCS product scheme application the certication process to get products certied by NQA as registered as MCS Approved. This guide should be read in conjunction with the Scheme Rules. Benets of using NQA for the certication of your products NQA is a global certication body, operating in all parts of the world. NQA is accredited by UKAS as meeting the requirements of a number of National, European and International standards including ISO 17020, ISO 17021, ISO 17024 and EN 45011 (ISO/IEC Guide 65:1996). A full range of NQAs accredited standards can be found at www.nqa.com. NQA are also accredited by other worldwide organisations, such as ANAB. Utilising NQA services provides many benets including having access to the Groups knowledge and expertise on all certication related matters. The Ascertiva Group has a turnover of just under 50 million with more than 150,000 clients. It is well respected and has widely known brands, both nationally and internationally, including NQA and NICEIC.
Product certication
Product certication comprises two principle activities: 1. A ssessment of the quality control system employed by the Producer during production to establish whether it is robust and ensures that the products are capable of routinely meeting the minimum MCS performance requirements. For the purposes of the MCS, this activity is called Factory Production Control (FPC). 2. P roduct testing to determine if the product meets the minimum performance requirements as detailed in the relevant standard(s). The relevant standard(s) will typically specify minimum performance requirements for the particular product (or product class) and the required testing will determine if the particular product(s) can meet such requirements. Where a Producer uses facilities for the testing of products that are not accredited by UKAS or an equivalent body as meeting the requirements of ISO 17025, an assessment of the testing facility will also need to be made. The FPC assessment involves examination of production procedures, quality assurance and quality control operations to conrm that the procedures and controls will ensure that, on an ongoing basis, the minimum quality and performance requirements of the MCS and/or mandated product standards will be met. In addition, the materials, manufacturing processes and staff training are assessed during the rst (and subsequent factory visits) to ensure that the product maintains its original basic design and that it is being manufactured in a consistent way and to the required standards. Applications for certication of a range of common products (or product families) will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. For example, where one or more characteristics are the same for a number of products with similar design, construction and functionality, then the results of tests for one such product may be accepted as representative of the family of products.
If the tests are conducted by an independent third party test laboratory that is accredited for the applicable testing by UKAS or an equivalent body (scenario A), there is a requirement to: Have available for audit the completed test report(s) in English, or be accompanied by an authorised translation. The reports will need to contain all the information required by MCS 011 Clause 2.1 Provide a written declaration from the Producer stating that the product tested is a production sample and fully representative of the current production or, if appropriate, identifying any modications to the design, production processes or materials. If the tests are conducted by an independent third party test laboratory that is not accredited for the applicable testing (scenario B), there is a requirement: For the test laboratory to have all the necessary equipment, procedures, staff, calibration status and capability to satisfy the requirements of ISO 17025 currently and also at the time of testing (evidence will be required) To allow witnessing the same or similar tests and review other test reports and management systems to ensure correct procedures are utilised and implemented To have available for assessment the completed test report(s) in English, or be accompanied by an authorised translation. The reports will need to contain all the information required by MCS 011 Clause 2.1- 2.4 To provide a written declaration from the Producer stating that the product tested is a production sample and fully representative of the current production or, if appropriate, identifying any modications to the design, production processes or materials.
If the tests are conducted in the Producers test facility (scenario C), there is a requirement to: Have documented procedures for conducting the tests, and analysing and recording the results Have available suitable calibrated test/ measurement equipment for carrying out the control and measurement of products where that equipment calibration is traceable to national standards Have adequate means to measure and control the environment in the test area Use competent operatives with sufcient training and experience to conduct the tests Have a person, with adequate appropriate knowledge, who is responsible for the testing process, equipment and procedures used, and who can appreciate the signicance of the test results obtained Have available for assessment the completed test report(s) in English, or be accompanied by an authorised translation. The reports will need to contain all the information required by MCS 011 Clause 2.1-2.4 Provide a written declaration stating that the product tested is a production sample and fully representative of the current production or, if appropriate, identifying any modications to the design, production processes or materials Allow the Certication Body to witness a representative sample of testing for each product/product family, such that they are content with the validity and integrity of the results obtained. In addition to the above, there are more specic requirements for each of the technologies that are applicable to the particular product being proposed for certication. These requirements will be found in separate documents. NQA will assess all the requirements of MCS but it is the Producers responsibility to demonstrate how these requirements are met.
www.nqa.com/mcs
Positive recommendation
Re-visit required
Quotation process
Satisfactory
Certication decision
Certicate issued Sub licence issued by NQA and signed and returned by customer Registration logo and email issued MCS download
NQA, Whitting Valley Road, Old Whittington, Chestereld, S41 9EY Tel: 08433 085501 Fax: +44 (0)1246 269049 Email: mcs@nqa.com Website: www.nqa.com/mcs NQA is a division of Ascertiva Group Ltd