Changes to PAS 2030:2017
Published 2 June 2021
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/changes-to-pas-20302017/changes-to-pas-20302017
PAS 2030 is a Publicly Available Specification for the installation of energy efficiency measures in existing buildings which was first introduced for government energy efficiency schemes in 2013. These standards are updated every two years to take in new learning and best practices, the most recent version is the PAS 2030:2019 standard which is embedded in a new over-arching best practice standard, PAS 2035. PAS 2035 and 2030 combine to ensure a whole house, and whole project, approach to managing the installation process and providing services to the customer before, during and after installation is taken.
As an installer, it is vital that you are certified to the appropriate PAS 2030 standard to take part in government-funded energy efficiency schemes in England, in order to meet the commitment to reduce our carbon emissions by 78% by 2035 and achieve net zero by 2050. Our starting point for design of any future energy efficiency funding programmes will be that installers need to be PAS certified.
Current government schemes that require PAS 2030 certification include:
- Energy Company Obligation (ECO)
- Green Homes Grant Voucher Scheme (GHGVS)
- Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery scheme (LAD)
- Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF)
- Home Upgrade Grant (HUG)
Extension of PAS 2030:2017 for Green Homes Grant Voucher Scheme (GHGVS) and Local Authority Delivery (LAD) Phase 1
There are two versions of PAS 2030 currently in use, PAS 2030:2017 and PAS 2030:2019. The 2017 version of the standard was due to be withdrawn from the market on the 30 June 2021, with all installers needing to transition to PAS 2030:2019.
Following a review, BEIS has asked the British Standards Institute (BSI) to republish PAS 2030:2019 to allow the PAS 2030:2017 standard to continue to be used, for the first phase of Local Authority Delivery (LAD) and the GHGS, until the 31 October 2021.
All other and future schemes will not accept PAS 2030:2017 from 01 July 2021.
This includes:
- Local Authority Delivery Phase 2
- Energy Company Obligation (ECO)
- Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF)
- Home Upgrade Grant (HUG)
You can also view the UKAS announcement regarding the changes on the UKAS website.
Why is PAS 2030 changing?
PAS standards are reviewed and updated every two years to take into account best practice in the energy efficiency industry and to ensure quality remains high. The new version of the standards was developed following a market wide industry-led review called the Each Home Counts, which recommended consistent delivery was need from first engagement, assessment and design of upgrades through installation and to handover to measure to the homeowner. This was achieved through the development of PAS 2035 to support the PAS 2030 installation standard.
Following the publication of the PAS 2035 and revised 2030:2019 standards in June 2019, BEIS worked with the BSI and the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) to design a two-year transition period to ensure that all UKAS-accredited certification bodies and their certified installers had time to successfully transition to the new requirements of PAS 2035 and PAS 2030:2019.
What do I need to do?
Installers wishing to transfer to the PAS 2030:2019 standards are strongly recommended to contact their relevant certification body to begin the transition process immediately.
How can I check which PAS certification I currently possess?
PAS certification is issued by UKAS accredited Certification Bodies. If you are unsure, please get in touch with your Certification Body.
What is the difference between the 2017 and 2019 PAS standards, and why am I required to obtain the new PAS 2019 certification when I already have the 2017 standards?
PAS 2030:2019 replaces the 2017 version and is embedded within the new PAS 2035 guidance. The new standards provide a clear end to end guide to completing retrofit rather than only focussing on the installation stage.
The PAS 2030:2019 standard was revised alongside the creation of the PAS 2035 standard. The new standards were recommended in the industry-led ‘Each Home Counts’ review that highlighted that some energy efficiency improvements to existing homes had not performed as expected and there was room to improve standards to support net zero goals.
The new standards were developed by industry through the British Standards Institute (BSI) and over 40 industry stakeholders were involved in their creation to support a whole house approach.
Does the PAS transition extension apply to all government schemes?
No. The extension to the PAS 2030:2017 transition window until 31 October 2021 is only for the Green Homes Grant Voucher Scheme and Local Authority Delivery Phase 1.
Installers working under all other energy efficiency home retrofit schemes including LAD Phase 2, ECO, Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, and Home Upgrade Grant, will need to demonstrate compliance with PAS 2035 and certification to PAS 2030:2019 from the 1 July 2021.
How long will the process of transitioning from the 2017 to 2019 standards take?
The time it takes to obtain PAS 2030: 2019 certification can vary and can depend on your chosen Certification Body, as well as your individual circumstances.
As such, we would highly recommend contacting your Certification Body to start the application process if you have not done so already.
What about work on park homes, high rise buildings and buildings that are both traditionally constructed and protected under the GHGVS?
The GHGVS terms and conditions specify that for Park Homes, high-rise buildings, and buildings that are both traditionally constructed and protected PAS 2030:2019 with PAS 2035 should be used.
The extension to PAS 2030:2017 does not override these requirements of the scheme Terms and Conditions.
How long after 30 June will I be able to lodge ECO work done under PAS 2030:2017 with Trustmark?
Under ECO, work done up until the 30 June can be registered (lodged) with Trustmark after this date but must, in accordance with ECO rules, be notified to Ofgem by 31st July and needs to be lodged with TrustMark ahead of notifying to Ofgem.