MCS Redeveloped Installer Scheme – FAQs

We are pleased to say that we are almost ready to offer the redeveloped MCS installer scheme.   

The scheme redevelopment aims to simplify the certification process, focusing on the quality of installations, enhancing consumer protection, and streamlining technical standards. The redeveloped MCS installer Scheme aims to boost customer confidence and increase the focus on the delivered quality of installations, while streamlining processes and simplifying requirements for installers.      

We are updating our applications process with a view to welcoming new businesses onto the redeveloped scheme shortly.   

For now, existing MCS-certified businesses should continue to operate in line with current scheme requirements.   

Timeline for changes  

We will begin inviting businesses to transition from 9 March 2026, in a phased approach to ensure we can support you every step of the way. We expect to have invited all businesses to transition by June 2026, so don’t worry if you don’t hear from us right away. 

Becoming MCS certified   

If your business is interested in applying for the MCS installer scheme, we are still accepting  applications on the current scheme until 5pm Wed 4th March. Please start your application here. 

For current applications in the pipeline, we will be in contact shortly to advise how to switch to apply for the new scheme.

Redeveloped Installer Scheme – documents  

MCS has published details of the redeveloped Installer Scheme (Jan 2025). This includes the core documents and updated structure. These documents should contain all the information your business will need to make the required changes to your business systems.
 
For now, we recommend you read through the redeveloped scheme documents and, review against current systems, and identify where current changes will be required within your MCS operations.

Outline of MCS aims and a letter from MCS CEO, Ian Rippin

Core documents, the updated structure for the redeveloped MCS Installer Scheme and FAQS. 

The core documents include:

  • Installer Operating Requirements – this is the framework for how your business will maintain MCS certification. It outlines the requirements and processes that you need to follow. 
  • Customer Commitment – this outlines an installer’s responsibility to protect and safeguard consumers and adhere to consumer protection laws. It ensures that customers are treated fairly, and they know where to turn if they need to complain.  
  • MCS Installation Standards – these are the technical standards for how systems should be designed and installed. 
     What is changing? The technical requirements of the current MCS Installation Standards are not changing. They have been restructured and streamlined to be more focussed as “technical truths”. 
  • Pre-sale Information and System Performance Estimate Standards – these outline how to carry out system performance estimates and the pre-sale information that must be provided to a customer for an installation.
     What is changing? The requirements are remaining the same. To improve clarity, they have been restructured and streamlined into their own technology-specific standards. 
  • Also available: a diagram of the redeveloped scheme structure.

Additional guidance

In addition to the documentation, guidance and FAQs provided by MCS, we’ve also provided additional FAQs on this page to assist with common questions.

We will also continue to keep you informed through webinars, regular email updates and supporting documents to ensure that you’re fully prepared for the transition.

Want a quick overview?  Listen to our recent episode of The Wire, where we break down what the changes mean for your business.  

You may also find it helpful to watch the webinars hosted by MCS and Installer Magazine (February and June 2025) about the redevelopment including questions from installers answered by MCS.

Redeveloped MCS: your questions answered.

MCS answers FAQs on its redeveloped Installer Scheme.


FAQs

It is expected that smaller installers will, on joining the redeveloped scheme, identify their current NTP as their Technical Supervisor. It is important that this individual is directly involved in supervising the quality of each installation, as they are essentially signing it off as compliant with MCS requirements.
 
MCS has confirmed that being a member of a consumer code will be voluntary under the redeveloped scheme. However, your business will need to maintain its membership and payments until fully transitioned onto the redeveloped scheme. Where your business undertakes funded work, additional requirements such as consumer code membership may continue to be mandatory.
 
MCS has designed the risk-based assessment model to consider how much surveillance is needed for each business.
A certified installer business that meets the following criteria may benefit from a reduced assessment requirement.
  • over two years tenure, where no non-conformities are raised at assessment
  • a stable business operation (personal, location, structure)
  • consistent volume and scope of work; and
  • no complaints.
This would mean having a site assessment every three years rather than every year, although annual submission of documents, such as insurance to confirm compliance, would be required.
For an installer business with significant change (i.e. technical personnel, increased reliance on a subcontractor network), changes to volume of installation, or complaints/nonconformities, there may be an increased requirement for your certification body to assess multiple sites of your MCS-related business activities.
 

On 16 December 2024 MCS removed the ablity to purchase an IWA Insurance Backed Guarantee (IBG) through the MCS Installation Database (MID).

However, business’s were still required to purchase an IBG for each installation registered on the MID. This remains essential to comply with current MCS Standards.

In February 2026 MCS approved new financial protection products, every installer continues to be required to purchase a MCS approved financial protection product on behalf of their customer. These have been designed to provide a financial safety net for consumers who are unable to secure a resolution to an installation issue via their original installer, supporting the cost of remediation.

MCS will take on the responsibilities previously held by the consumer code. Their aim is to centralise complaints so that it’s clear to consumers where to go should they need to make a complaint. To ensure there’s independent oversight, MCS has created a consumer protection panel to oversee MCS and the consumer protections they will be offering. There will also be alternative dispute resolution provided for free if the complaint cannot be resolved through their process.
 
NICEIC is ready to start transitioning certified businesses to the redeveloped scheme, from 9 March all applicants will be assessed and certified onto the redeveloped scheme. As a certified business, if you have not been contacted, you will be in the near future.
 
At present, there are no changes scheduled to the boiler upgrade scheme requirements, so Consumer Code membership will be needed.
 
Your business will still be able to sub-contract as an MCS certified installer. Related terms will be included within the new Installer Operating Requirements.
 

NICEIC delivered a webinar in January 2026, a recording can be found here. Alongside the information on this page, please ensure you familiarise yourself with all the scheme documentation provided by MCS. If you do have additional questions, you can contact MCS directly through their Helpdesk.