Guidance

MCERTS examination syllabuses for manual stack emissions monitoring

Updated 14 April 2025

Applies to England and Wales

This guidance is for individuals who carry out stack emissions monitoring and are registered on the MCERTS personnel competency scheme for manual stack emissions monitoring.

The Environment Agency set up its monitoring certification scheme (MCERTS) to provide guidelines on the standards you need to meet to monitor emissions.

Overview

MCERTS for manual stack emissions monitoring has 2 components:

• certifying individuals to the MCERTS personnel competency standard
• accreditation of organisations to the MCERTS performance standard for organisations

The MCERTS personnel standard specifies 3 levels of competency:

• entry level (trainee)
• level 1 (technician)
• level 2 (team leader)

Level 2 is the most senior level. Level 2 personnel must achieve at least one technical endorsement (covering the monitoring of specific groups of substances) in addition to the general level 2 requirements.

Level 2 personnel with technical endorsements for the substances being measured are required to supervise measurement planning, sampling and reporting.

You can find the standards referred to in this document in the BSI standards catalogue.

You can find the MCERTS method implementation documents (MIDs) on the MCERTS document collection page on GOV.UK.

Here are the examination syllabuses for level 1, level 2 and technical endorsements.

Level 1 syllabus

L1.1 Introduction to pollutants

You must know the pollutants that are routinely measured during stack emissions monitoring.

For commonly measured pollutants you need to know the:

• common sources of the pollutant
• typical emission concentrations
• typical measurement techniques
• environmental and health effects

You must know why stack emissions monitoring is carried out.

L1.2 Overview of legislation and monitoring guidance

You must demonstrate that you understand:

• the purpose of monitoring
• the MCERTS scheme for manual stack emissions monitoring
• how to use emission limit values
• how to use standard reference methods and MIDs
• the role of Environment Agency technical guidance on stack emissions monitoring
• the role of the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS)

L1.3 Health and safety requirements

You must:

• demonstrate that you know the risk management principles in the Source Testing Association’s risk assessment guide: industrial emission monitoring
• know the difference between hazard and risk when discussing health and safety issues
• know typical safety hazards involved with stack emissions monitoring and their associated risks
• understand how to apply suitable control measures

L1.4 Units and reference conditions

You must demonstrate that you understand:

• temperature, pressure, velocity, mass and volume
• concentration and mass-based units
• ppm and mg/m³
• correction to reference conditions
• different reference levels of oxygen for different processes

L1.5 Equipment

You must demonstrate that you are aware of:

• pitots, gas meters, rotameters and orifice plates
• thermocouples
• barometers
• the arrangement of manual extractive sampling equipment
• the calibration of instrumental sampling equipment
• the most commonly used arrangements for gas sample handling and conditioning systems
• the advantages and disadvantages of measurement systems that present hot and wet sample gas to the analyser
• measurement systems that cool and dry sample gas before it reaches an analyser

L1.6 Principles of stack emissions monitoring

You must demonstrate that you know:

• the importance of representative sampling for particulates and gases
• the principle of isokinetic sampling
• the required location of sampling planes and sampling points
• how to measure stack gas velocity and pressure
• the principles of measurement uncertainty
• the causes of unrepresentative sampling
• how to calculate mass emissions rates
• what is meant by the term ‘calibration’ and can describe a typical calibration procedure

L1.7 Process conditions

You must demonstrate an awareness of how the following may affect the approach to planning and carrying out a stack emission monitoring campaign:

• process conditions
• sampling conditions
• location

Level 2 syllabus

L2.1 Monitoring standards and methods

You must demonstrate that you know how to apply the standards relevant to monitoring. This includes:

• the hierarchy of standards
• knowledge of the appropriate methods for stack emissions monitoring
• what to do if no standard method is available

L2.2 Reference conditions

You must demonstrate that you know how to standardise results to reference conditions.

L2.3 Analytical techniques and limits of detection

You must demonstrate that you are aware of analytical techniques. This includes:

• the implications of analytical sensitivity for sample amounts and sampling times
• limits of detection
• sample handling
• liaising with analysis laboratories

L2.4 Abatement systems and their effects on monitoring

You must demonstrate general knowledge of the abatement systems used to control the principal pollutants from industrial processes, and their impact on emission levels.

L2.5 Choice of sampling location

You must demonstrate that you know about typical plant configurations, their impact on monitoring results, and where to carry out sampling. This includes:

• achieving representative sampling
• positional requirements for particulate matter and gaseous species
• criteria for locating a sample plane
• surveying a sample plane
• the number of sample points

L2.6 Carrying out a measurement campaign

You must demonstrate that you know which factors to address when carrying out a measurement campaign. These include:

• determining the objectives of the sampling exercise
• assessing the parameters to be measured
• reviewing process conditions
• liaising with plant operators

L2.7 Health and safety requirements

You must demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the risk management approach to minimising hazards at work as specified in the Source Testing Association’s risk assessment guide: industrial emission monitoring

L2.8 Choice of sampling method, technique and equipment

You must demonstrate that you understand the different monitoring approaches, techniques and equipment, and when to use them.

L2.9 Types of process operation and process details

You must demonstrate that you know the different types of process operation and relevant process details. These include:

• types of operation
• continuous (steady state, variable or cyclic)
• batch process
• process details
• awareness of inputs, outputs and mass flows
• fuel composition
• stack gas conditions

L2.10 Developing site-specific protocols

You must demonstrate that you know what to consider when carrying out a measurement campaign at a specific site.

L2.11 Principles of calculating uncertainty

You must demonstrate that you know the principles of calculating uncertainty. This includes:

• basic terminology, including accuracy, precision, repeatability, reproducibility, systematic and random errors
• the rules for combining uncertainties
• confidence limits and statistically defined uncertainties
• tests using certified reference materials
• repeat measurements using paired instruments and comparison with certified reference methods
• building an uncertainty budget from estimates of component uncertainties
• assessing deviations from a standard reference method
• how the number and duration of samples affects accuracy

L2.12 Quality assurance

You must demonstrate that you know the systems for quality assurance and quality control in stack emissions monitoring. These include:

• the role of ISO/IEC 17025 ‘General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories’
• MCERTS performance standard for organisations
• the role of auditing
• MCERTS personnel competency standard and use of appropriate personnel
• measurement traceability
• site review and site-specific protocol
• using blanks
• assuring the quality of test results
• reporting results

Technical endorsement 1: particulate monitoring by isokinetic sampling techniques

TE1.1 Sample equipment

You must be able to:

• sketch and annotate the sample equipment configurations used for particulate sampling
• understand when you need in and out of stack filter configurations

TE1.2 Sample location

You must be able to:

• discuss the issues associated with selecting the most appropriate sample location
• describe how to identify a suitable sample location
• describe how you would modify the sampling procedure in cases where a fully-compliant sample location does not exist

TE1.3 Preliminary work and quality control

You must be able to:

• calculate required sample volumes based on the emission limit value and uncertainty of the weighing procedure
• describe a sample plane survey, including the swirl test procedure
• describe specific requirements for sampling at low particulate levels

You must be able to describe appropriate quality control checks such as:

• leak checks
• blanks
• filter specifications and conditioning
• filter capture efficiencies
• isokinetic ratios
• temperature requirements for key components of the sample equipment

TE1.4 Calculating stack gas volumetric flow rates

You must be able to:

• calculate volumetric flow, velocities and cross sectional areas using the following equation: volumetric flow = velocity × cross sectional area
• use this equation to calculate volumetric flow, or velocities in stacks where you know the volumetric flow and cross sectional area

TE1.5 Calculating sample flow rates

You must be able to calculate:

• the required sample flow rate from stack gas velocity and nozzle size
• a theoretical nozzle size for isokinetic sampling
• an area from a diameter and be able to calculate a diameter from an area

TE1.6 Units and reference conditions

You must be able to convert the following parameters into compatible units for calculations:

• volumes in litres or m³
• velocities in m/s
• nozzle diameters in mm or m (or both)
• time expressed as seconds or minutes (or both)

You must be able to convert a volume of gas containing water vapour to a volume of gas without water vapour.

TE1.7 Detailed knowledge of standards and MIDs

You must be able to demonstrate detailed knowledge of:

• EN 13284-1:2017 Stationary source emissions – Determination of low range mass concentration of dust – part 1: Manual gravimetric method
• Method Implementation Document for EN 13284-1:2017: Stationary source emissions – Determination of low range mass concentration of dust – part 1: Manual gravimetric method

TE1.8 General understanding of standards and MIDs

You must be able to demonstrate a general understanding of:

• EN ISO 16911-1:2013 Stationary source emissions – Manual and automatic determination of velocity and volume flow rate in ducts – part 1: Manual reference method
• Method Implementation Document for BS EN 16911-1: Application to manual stack emissions monitoring
• EN 14790:2017 Stationary source emissions – Determination of the water vapour in ducts – Standard reference method
• EN 14789:2017 Stationary source emissions – Determination of volume concentration of oxygen – Standard reference method: Paramagnetism

Technical endorsement 2: multi-phase sampling techniques

TE2.1 Multiphase sampling of metals

You must be able to:

• describe the content, arrangement and role of the different impingers you can use for measuring metals and mercury
• demonstrate knowledge of the information required to determine sample duration
• describe the solutions used on site for recovering a sample
• describe temperature requirements for key components of the sample equipment
• describe normative sampling requirements, such as nozzle size and isokinetic rates
• demonstrate knowledge of quality control checks such as leak checks, blanks and impinger capture efficiencies
• calculate results at standard reference conditions
• calculate a blank value and assess its compliance with quality assurance requirements

TE2.2 Sampling dioxins and furans

You must be able to:

• describe the construction materials and arrangement of the sample equipment
• the solutions used on site for cleaning sample equipment
• demonstrate knowledge of quality control checks, such as leak checks, blanks, resin trap capture efficiencies
• describe temperature requirements for the sample equipment
• describe the temperature data you must record during the sample run
• describe normative sampling requirements, such as nozzle size and isokinetic rates
• convert a dioxin result in picograms to nanograms
• calculate results using international toxic equivalent factors
• calculate results at standard reference conditions
• calculate a blank value and assess its compliance with quality assurance requirements

TE2.3 Detailed knowledge of standards and MIDs

You must be able to demonstrate detailed knowledge of:

• EN 1948 Part 1:2006 Stationary source emissions – Determination of the mass concentration of PCDDs/PCDFs and dioxin-like PCBs – part 1: Sampling of PCDDs/PCDFs
• Method Implementation Document for BS EN 1948: parts 1 to 3: 2006 Stationary source emissions - Determination of the mass concentration of PCDDs/PCDFs and dioxin-like PCBs
• EN 14385:2024 Stationary source emissions – Determination of the total emission of As, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, TI and V
• EN 13211:2004 Air quality – Stationary source emissions – Manual method of determination of the concentration of total mercury
• ISO 11338-1:2003 Stationary source emissions – Determination of gas and particle-phase polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons – part 1: Sampling

Technical endorsement 3: gases or vapours by manual techniques

TE3.1 Wet chemistry (impinger) techniques

You must be able to:

• describe the contents and arrangement of ‘wet chemistry’ sample equipment
• describe all appropriate quality control checks, such as leak checks, blanks, and capture efficiency
• describe temperature requirements for key components of the sample equipment
• calculate the concentration of a gaseous species in stack gas when supplied with the gas sample volume, impinger solution volume and concentration of target species in solution
• calculate the percentage moisture in stack gas using sample volumes and impinger or silica gel weight gain data
• convert data to standard reference conditions
• select a sample position to make sure you take representative samples

TE3.2 Adsorbent tube technique

You must be able to:

• describe the arrangement of the sampling equipment, including any additional requirements to take account of stack sample conditions, such as high moisture content or high temperatures
• calculate the concentration of a gaseous species in stack gas when supplied with the appropriate information, such as gas sample volume and mass of target species on a sample tube
• calculate the mass emission rate of a gaseous species in stack gas when supplied with the appropriate information, such as duct area and stack gas velocity
• describe the appropriate quality control checks, such as detection limits and capture efficiency

TE3.3 Detailed knowledge of standards and MIDs

You must be able to demonstrate detailed knowledge of:

• EN1911:2010 Stationary source emissions – Determination of mass concentration of gaseous chlorides expressed as HCl – standard reference method
• CEN TS 13649:2014 Stationary source emissions – Determination of the mass concentration of individual gaseous organic compounds – sorptive sampling method followed by solvent extraction or thermal desorption
• EN 14790:2017 Stationary source emissions – Determination of the water vapour in ducts – standard reference method
• EN 14791:2017 Stationary source emissions – Determination of mass concentration of sulphur oxides – standard reference method
• CEN TS 17340:2020 Stationary source emissions – Determination of mass concentration of fluorinated compounds expressed as HF – standard reference method
• EN ISO 21877:2019 Stationary source emissions – Determination of the mass concentration of ammonia – manual method (EN ISO 21877 will be included in the syllabus from 1 March 2022)

Limited technical endorsement 3: gases or vapours by manual techniques

LTE3.1 Wet chemistry (impinger) techniques

You must be able to:

• describe the contents and arrangement of ‘wet chemistry’ sample equipment
• describe all appropriate quality control checks, such as leak checks, blanks, capture efficiency
• describe temperature requirements for key components of the sample equipment
• calculate the concentration of a gaseous species in flue gas when supplied with the gas sample volume, impinger solution volume and concentration of target species in solution
• calculate the percentage moisture in a stack gas using sample volumes and weight gain data
• correct data to standard reference conditions
• select a sample position to ensure representative samples are taken

LTE3.2 Adsorbent tube technique

You must be able to:

• describe the arrangement of the sampling train, including any additional requirements to take account of different stack sample conditions, such as high moisture content or high temperatures
• calculate the concentration of a gaseous species in stack gas when supplied with the appropriate information, such as gas sample volume and mass of target species on a sample tube
• calculate the mass emission rate of a gaseous species in stack gas when supplied with the appropriate information, such as duct area and stack gas velocity
• describe the appropriate quality control checks, such as detection limits and capture efficiency

LTE3.3 Describe a real example

You must be able to demonstrate that you know and understand how to measure a pollutant using the wet chemistry or adsorbent tube monitoring technique that you use at your site. You must be able to describe the:

• process, including how the pollutant was formed
• typical gas concentration
• stack gas conditions
• method used
• arrangement of the sampling system used
• monitoring principles on which you based the measurements
• sampling procedure
• principles on which the laboratory analysis was based

Technical endorsement 4: gases or vapours by instrumental techniques

TE4.1 Instrumental sampling systems

You must be able to describe the:

• main advantages and disadvantages of instrumental gas analysis systems
• arrangement of gas analysis systems used to measure combustion gases and total organic carbon (TOC) in chimney stacks

TE4.2 Converting results to standard conditions

You must be able to convert results from an ‘as measured’ basis to the basis required for reporting purposes – this includes converting data collected on a ‘wet’ basis to a ‘dry’ basis.

TE4.3 Converting ppm results to mg/m³ and calculating mass emission rates

You must be able to:

• convert ppm results to mg/m³ using molecular weight and standard volumes
• convert TOC from propane to carbon equivalent
• calculate the emission rate of a gaseous species in stack gas when you are supplied with the appropriate information, such as stack area and velocity

TE4.4 Uncertainty budgets

You must be able to:

• demonstrate that you understand the basic principles of generating an uncertainty budget for an instrumental gas analysis system
• state some of the uncertainties which would be included
• calculate an expanded uncertainty from a range of type A, type B and expanded uncertainties associated with some components of a typical gas sampling and analysis system

TE4.5 Sampling strategy

You must be able to demonstrate that you know the appropriate strategies for representative gas sampling (determination of homogeneity).

TE4.6 Detailed knowledge of standards and MIDs

You must be able to demonstrate detailed knowledge of:

• EN 12619:2013 Stationary source emissions – Determination of the mass concentration of total gaseous organic carbon – Continuous flame ionisation detector method
• EN 14789:2017 Stationary source emissions – Determination of volume concentration of oxygen – Standard reference method: Paramagnetism
• EN 14792:2017 Stationary source emissions – Determination of mass concentration of nitrogen oxides – Standard reference method: Chemiluminescence
• EN 15058:2017 Stationary source emissions – Determination of the mass concentration of carbon monoxide – Standard reference method: non-dispersive infrared spectrometry
• EN 15259:2007 Air quality – Measurement of stationary source emissions – Requirements for measurement sections and sites and for the measurement objective, plan and report (section 8.3 homogeneity survey only)
• Method Implementation Document for EN 15259:2007: Stationary source emissions – Requirements for the measurement sections and sites and for the measurement objective, plan and report

Limited technical endorsement 4: gases or vapours by instrumental techniques

LTE4.1 Instrumental sampling systems

You must be able to describe the:

• main advantages and disadvantages of instrumental gas analysis systems
• arrangement of gas analysis systems used to measure combustion gases and TOC in chimney stacks

LTE4.2 Converting results to standard conditions

You must be able to convert emissions data from an ‘as measured’ basis to the basis required for reporting purposes – this includes converting data collected on a ‘wet’ basis to a ‘dry’ basis.

LTE4.3 Converting ppm result to mg/m³ and calculating mass emission rates

You must be able to:

• convert ppm results to mg/m³ using molecular weight and standard volumes
• convert TOC from propane to carbon equivalent
• calculate the emission rate of a gaseous species in stack gas when supplied with the appropriate information, such as stack area and velocity

LTE4.4 Uncertainty budgets

You must be able to:

• demonstrate that you understand the basic principles of generating an uncertainty budget for an instrumental gas analysis system
• state some of the uncertainties which would be included
• calculate an expanded uncertainty from a range of type A, type B and expanded uncertainties associated with some components of a typical gas sampling and analysis system

LTE4.5 Describing a real example

You must be able to demonstrate that you know and understand how to measure a pollutant using the instrumental monitoring technique at your site. You must be able to describe the:

• process, including how the pollutant is generated
• typical gas concentration
• stack gas conditions
• instrumental method used, including the principles of operation
• arrangement of the gas sample handling and conditioning system that was used
• calibration procedure

What to do next

Find out more about MCERTS personnel certification, including example calculations and a guide to exam success on the:

• CSA Group Testing UK website
• MCERTS collection on GOV.UK

You can contact the Environment Agency if you need any help.

General enquiries

National Customer Contact Centre
PO Box 544
Rotherham
S60 1BY

Email enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk

Telephone 03708 506 506

Telephone from outside the UK (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm GMT) +44 (0) 114 282 5312

Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.