The Development of Accreditation in the UK

Paul Mudway

Mudway Health, Safety & Environment

• History

• Progression

• Problems

• Perfection?

The development of accreditationin the UK

The development of accreditationin the UK

History

• Source Testing Association (STA) formed in 1995. A few labs accredited to ISO 17025

• STA proficiency scheme for particulate sampling

• STA health & safety training

History (cont.)

• MCERTS for manual stack emission monitoring introduced in 2002

• MCERTS applies to PPC part A(1) processes regulated by Environment Agency and some PPC part A(2) processes

• MCERTS now specified in permits• Most UK labs are now accredited to ISO

17025 and MCERTS

MCERTS schemes

Scheme Implementation date Handled by

AMS (CEMs) Jun-97 Sira

Manual Stack Monitoring Feb-02Sira - Personnel

UKAS - Organisations

CAMs Dec-02 Sira

Automatic isokinetic samplers

Mar-04 Sira

Chemical testing of soils Mar-03 UKAS

Self Monitoring of Effluent Flow

Jan-04 Sira

Water monitors Dec-04 Sira

Portable equipment for air emissions monitoring

Mar-05 Sira

MCERTS for manual stack emissions monitoring

• Personnel competency certification by Sira (ISO 17024)

• Stack monitoring labs accredited to ISO 17025 and the MCERTS Performance Standard by UKAS

Overview of MCERTS scheme

CERTIFICATION BODY(Scheme Operator)

SIRA

EXAMINATIONS

TRAINEES CERTIFIEDPERSONNEL

REGISTER OFCERTIFIED

PERSONNEL & SCOPES

INDEPENDENTEXAMINERS

EXAMININGBOARD

ADVISORY PANEL

STA & EA

SYLLABUS

EA

UKASACCREDITATION

MCERTS levels for assessment

Trainee

Level 1Technician

Level 2Team Leader

TE 1Particulate

TE 2Trace Elements

TE 3Gas Compounds

TE 4Gas - Instruments

TE 5PM10 sampling

Entry level (trainee)

• Apply to Sira for registration – Identity card only, no certificate

• Undertake formal induction – Stack emission monitoring – Conduct of personnel working on site– Health and safety

• Undergo supervised training• Attend course on H&S risk assessment applicable

to stack monitoring

Assessment for Level 1 (technician)

• Experience & Training– Minimum of 6 months at trainee level– Records of induction undertaken as trainee– Records of any additional training– Records of stack sampling work under supervision– Attendance on H&S risk assessment course

applicable to stack monitoring (mandatory)

• Examination - 2 written papers:– Multiple choice– Narrative

Assessment for Level 2 (team leader)

• Experience – Must have competently performed emission monitoring

under direct supervision on at least 10 occasions at level 1

• Examination– Interview assessment of practical skills:

• Team management• Health & safety• Report writing skills

• To obtain certification at level 2 candidates must also hold at least one Technical Endorsement

MCERTS ID card

Performance standard for organisations

• Ethical requirements for independence and environmental awareness

• Selection of appropriate methods following international standards• Use of Agency Method Implementation Documents, when available• Estimation of measurement uncertainty• Use of appropriate equipment• Planning of a measurement campaign

– Site review

– Risk assessment

– Site specific protocol

• Reporting of results• Use of MCERTS certified personnel

Problems

• Passing the examinations!• Keeping up with legislation and new

standards• Cost of accreditation (UKAS, equipment

calibration, PT schemes etc.)• Competitive market

Perfection?

• H&S improved significantly• Quality of monitoring data improved

significantly• Level playing field• Better career prospects