HETAS is expanding its appliance approval and installer schemes to cover the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).
MCS aims to ensure installation companies and products in the microgeneration technologies market, meet specific standards. As well as biomass, the MCS scheme covers installers and products for technologies including wind, solar thermal, heat pump and solar photovoltaic.

HETAS is the official body recognised by government to approve solid fuel domestic heating appliances, fuels and services. The announcement by HETAS, comes after BERR said the MCS will be extended to include new certification bodies.

HETAS' microgeneration certification scheme will run alongside existing HETAS appliance approval and installer registration schemes. HETAS already offers an approvals scheme for domestic installers and an appliance approvals scheme.

BRE's two year contract to set up and run the MCS scheme expires in September 2008. HETAS plans to have its MCS scheme up and running by early next year.

HETAS chief executive Bruce Allen said “There will be huge benefits for installers in that they can access the HETAS competent persons self-certification scheme and MCS scheme through one organisation.”

Allen added 'About 70% of what MCS offers is already covered by HETAS. It is a matter of extending what we offer a little more'.

Manufacturers will also benefit by getting MCS and HETAS approval for products through one body. The public are eligible for government grants when using registered MCS installers and approved products.