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Guide for the Certication of MCS Products

Guide for the Certication of MCS Products

Contents
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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Guide for the Certication of MCS Products

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.

Guide for the Certication of MCS Products

Requirements for certifying an MCS product

The general requirements that need to be satised before a specic product can be certied as meeting the MCS standards are two fold. 1. The product Producer must operate a documented manufacturing quality control and assurance system its Factory Production Control (FPC). The FPC must meet the requirements of document MCS 010, Production Certication Scheme Requirements: Factory Production Control Requirements. Essentially, this document requires the Producer of the product to: Have an individual responsible for the  control and overall supervision of all production activities Have a Quality Management System  or Quality Plan Have a system for resolving previously  identied product and quality nonconformities Hold regular meetings (at least 4 times  a year) to discuss factory production procedures and issues Have a list of all documents and data  associated with the production of the product(s), including details of raw materials and material specications Have a system for reviewing orders,  contracts and tenders in order to provide adequate information to customers Have a list of suppliers that provide  design, products and materials that are used in the nal product Have a system for reviewing the product  specication and notifying any changes to NQA Manufacture the product, including  carrying out its inspection and testing, under controlled conditions Have documented procedures for  dealing with material that is deemed to be non-conforming Have available suitable calibrated test/  measurement equipment for carrying out the control and measurement of products Have appropriate controlled facilities for  the storage, handling, packaging and transportation of products Maintain a record of all manufactured  products for a minimum period of two years Maintain a record of contract details  for a minimum period of ve years Maintain a record of complaints, together  with the details of the remedial action taken, if any, to resolve the complaints Have documented procedures for  corrective and preventative actions  se trained operatives in the U manufacturing process and have appropriate training records Make available for audit testing, suitable  samples of the product requiring certication. The products must have been manufactured within the last three months and be delivered to a specied address The majority of the above requirements will be satised if the Producer is already operating a documented quality system which is compliant with the requirements of ISO 9001, however an FPC will still be required. 2. The product to be certied is also required to be tested in a suitably equipped facility that demonstrates whether or not the product(s) meets all the MCS scheme requirements relevant to the individual technology. There are a number of options for the facilities used to test a product but, whichever is used, the facilities must satisfy the requirements of MCS 011, Production Certication Scheme Requirements: Acceptance Criteria for Testing Required for Production Certication. The three main options available for testing the product(s) are as detailed in MCS 011. Essentially, these are as follows: A)  Testing by an independent third party test laboratory that is accredited to carry out the requisite testing by UKAS or equivalent body. B)  Testing the products in an independent third party test laboratory, that is not UKAS accredited for the applicable testing. C)  Conducting the tests using the Producers test facilities.

Guide for the Certication of MCS 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.

Guide for the Certication of MCS Products

Steps to getting a product certied

The process for getting any product certied is relatively straight forward and is detailed on the process map on the back cover. The process consists of three main parts: Application An application for the certication of a product will be processed as soon as it is received by NQA. The following items need to be provided by the Producer (the Applicant) to start the application:  he completed application form for T each of the products or product family to be certied Appropriate technical documentation  (e.g. test reports, test certicate) for products applied for (if applicable) Producers instructions for products  applied for Appropriate certicates for management  systems (if applicable) Initial review and FPC On receipt of conrmation from the applicant that there is a wish to proceed with the FPC system evaluation, a date for an audit visit will be agreed. The nominated individual responsible for the manufacturing process must be available for and during the visit. The length of the audit will depend on the number of employees involved in the manufacturing process and the number of sites where the product is manufactured, but this will be a minimum of 2 days. To enable the Producer to gain the most benet from the visit, and to enable the audit process to be successfully completed as quickly as reasonably possible, it is important that the necessary items are made ready prior to the auditors arrival at the factory. Provided that the systems the Producer has in place for FPC are applicable to all its products, a separate visit may not be necessary should any other products require certication at a later date. Product testing The next stage in the assessment process is the review of the method by which the products are to be tested. The Applicant has the option of three ways of demonstrating that the product(s) meets the appropriate standard. If the Applicant has stated that, to meet the requirements of the standards, the method of testing the product(s) will be by testing conducted at the Producers premises; this will require an additional assessment. This is to conduct an audit of the test facilities to conrm that the Producer has the capability to conduct the testing accurately and fairly. The audit will also include the witness testing of a representative sample of the product(s) requiring certication. However, this audit does not have to be a separate visit and may be undertaken concurrently with the FPC audit visit. To enable the assessment process to be successfully completed as quickly as reasonably possible, it is important that the necessary items are made ready prior to the auditors arrival at the test facility. If the Applicant has stated the testing of the product is by an independent third party test laboratory which is not accredited for the applicable testing, a separate assessment of the test facility will be required. This visit is to audit the test laboratory to conrm that the test laboratory has the equipment, procedures, staff, calibration status and capability to conduct the testing to an acceptable standard and accuracy (based on ISO 17025). To enable the assessment process to be successfully completed as quickly as reasonably possible, it is important that necessary items are made ready prior to the auditors arrival at the test facility. If the applicant has stated that testing of the product is by an independent third party test laboratory accredited by UKAS or equivalent accreditation body to ISO 17025, no further site assessment should be required.

Guide for the Certication of MCS Products

Technical review and the outcome of the assessment

The decision on whether a product is certied will be based on the following: Evidence of compliance with  the appropriate BS EN for the technologies relevant to the particular product, (eg BS EN 14511 for heat pumps and EN 12975-1/EN 12976 for solar collectors). This will include evidence that the testing facilities and testing regime comply with MCS 011. For the standard specic to your product please read the applicable MCS standard found at www.microgenerationcertication.org Evidence that the Producers  FPC system meets the requirements of MCS 010 A review of the technical documentation  relating to the material or product A completed application and audit will result in one of the following recommendations being made by NQA: Certication recommended Acceptance will be recommended if the manufacturing process/product is compliant with all the NQA Product Certication Rules (the Rules). This includes meeting all the requirements for FPC and associated product testing. Certication not recommended If the manufacturing process and/or product does not currently satisfy the Rules, but is likely to do so after the Producer has addressed the nonconformities identied during the audit, a recommendation will be made that further consideration of the application is deferred. Should the business wish to continue with its application after addressing the nonconformities, a further visit to the factory/testing facility may be necessary, for which a further fee will be charged. Exceptionally, a further visit may not be required if the business can provide appropriate documentary evidence conrming that the non-conformities have been satisfactory addressed. Such evidence should be provided to NQA within 45 days of the date of NQAs decision to defer the application. Rejection Rejection is recommended if it is considered that the manufacturing process/product will be unable to comply with the Rules even after a period of deferment of the application.

The nal stage

The decision to accept, defer or reject an application rests with NQA. However, the applicant business may appeal against the decision if it considers the decision to be unfair.

After the product is certied

Product listing Once the certication for product has been satisfactorily completed, the product will be listed on the MCS website (www. microgenerationcertication.org) as approved. Use of MCS Certication Mark and Logo Subject to certain conditions, the Producer will also be able to display the MCS Mark on all duly certied products and use the MCS Logo in the advertising and promotion of that product. For conditions relating to the use of the MCS Mark and Logo, see the separate leaet called Guide to using the MCS Product Certication Scheme Mark and Logo. Surveillance Product certicates are maintained and held in force through annual surveillance visits and satisfactory completion of product audit testing. The assessment will be conducted to conrm that the Producers documented manufacturing quality control system for its FPC continues to meet the requirements of the MCS and the testing will conrm that the product(s) continues to meet the required standard. If a visit reveals non-conformities with the Scheme standards, the Producer will be required to take appropriate action to rectify them. If the non-conformities are signicant, this may involve the auditor making further site visit(s) or involve further product testing to conrm that the necessary level of compliance has been re-achieved. An additional charge will be made for such re-visits or retesting. In extreme circumstances, or where major nonconformities are not rectied, certication may be suspended immediately. Suspension Suspension will be for a dened period and can only be lifted following a successful re-visit or re-test (as applicable) within a period specied by NQA. If the suspension cannot be lifted, the product certication and licence to use the MCS Mark and Logo will be withdrawn along with the product listing(s). The Producer may appeal against any decision to suspend a product if it considers the decision to be unfair.

Product Certication Process

Application pack despatched NQA agrees dates for FPC with customer and conrms with auditor and applicant

www.nqa.com/mcs

Carry out audit

Client completes application form

Positive recommendation

Further evidence required

Re-visit required

Application review internally at NQA

Summary Report to customer

NCRs and Summary Report to customer

NCRs and Summary Report to customer

No? Request more info from customer

Customer returns evidence of corrective actions (within 45 days)

Information submitted sufcient

Unsatisfactory Evidence to auditor for review and sign off

Quotation process

NQA produce and issue a proposal to applicant

Satisfactory

Technical Review Customer accepts proposal

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