Guidance

MCERTS personnel competency standard: manual stack emissions monitoring

Updated 17 November 2022

Applies to England

1. Introduction

We set up our Monitoring Certification Scheme (MCERTS) to provide a framework of standards you can use to monitor things that affect the environment. MCERTS covers:

• the performance standards your monitoring equipment must meet
• the level your staff must be qualified to
• how to accredit laboratories and inspect sites in line with European and international standards

This standard sets out what you must do if you want to become certified to monitor pollution released from chimney stacks. It focuses on your experience and training and the exams you must take.

You can apply to MCERTS as an individual or as an organisation. This document sets out the standards you must meet to be certified as an individual. We have also published the standard for organisations.

CSA Group runs this MCERTS scheme on our behalf and is approved by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS).

If you have any questions about what you need to do to be certified, or would like more information about how to apply, please contact:

CSA Group
Unit 6 Hawarden Industrial Park
Hawarden
Deeside
CH5 3US

Telephone: +44(0) 1244 670 900

E-mail: ukinfo@csagroup.org

You can get more information on MCERTS from the MCERTS collection.

Feedback

If you have any comments on this document or any questions about MCERTS, please contact our National Customer Contact Centre.

Email: enquiries@environment-agency.gov.uk

2. Personnel competency standard

2.1 Competence levels

2.1.1 The standard defines three levels of competence:

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

2.2 MCERTS entry level (trainee)

2.2.1 Individuals entering the scheme must register as trainees. There is no certification at this level.

2.2 2 Most individuals will achieve MCERTS level 1 competency between 6 to 12 months after registering as a trainee. Though this may differ for individuals who do not carry out stack emission monitoring as the main part of their work.

2.2.3 Individuals must take an approved training course that covers hazard identification and risk assessment relating to stack emission monitoring. As a minimum, the course must cover the Source Testing Association’s (STA) risk assessment guide.

2.2.4 The MCERTS exam board will assess the suitability of training courses.

2.2.5 The course providers must have a formal agreement to provide this training with the certification body (CSA) that operates the scheme on our behalf.

2.2.6 A list of approved training providers is available at the CSA website. We recommend that trainees receive this training near the start of their training programme.

2.3 MCERTS level 1 (technician)

2.3.1 To achieve MCERTS level 1 certification, individuals must:

• have at least 6 months’ experience at the MCERTS trainee level
• have carried out manual emission monitoring 10 times
• have taken a course on hazard identification and risk assessment in the last 5 years
• pass a formal level 1 exam assessing overall competence in stack emission monitoring, including knowledge of health and safety

2.3.2 Trainees must complete a confirmation of work experience form during the application process, provided by CSA.

2.3.3 Candidates may take the level 1 exam before they have gained the minimum experience requirements. But the certification body shall not grant them certification until they have met all the certification requirements of level 1.

2.4 MCERTS level 2 (team leader)

2.4.1 In addition to meeting the requirements of MCERTS level 1, to achieve MCERTS level 2 individuals must:

• have at least 6 months’ experience at MCERTS level 1
• have carried out manual stack emission monitoring 10 times at level 1
• submit a confirmation of work experience
• pass 1 or more technical endorsements (TEs)
• have taken a course on hazard identification and risk assessment in the last 5 years
• pass an oral exam on health and safety, planning, strategy, and carrying out and reporting stack emissions monitoring campaigns

2.4.2 To achieve full certification at level 2, at least 5 of the stacks worked on at level 1 must be at different sites (see section 2.5 for individuals who work on fewer than 5 sites).

2.4.3 Candidates must have gained the minimum experience requirements before applying for the level 2 oral exam.

2.4.4 We recommend that individuals who carry out a wide range of monitoring at different industrial processes, spend at least a year at level 1.

2.5 MCERTS level 2 with limited scope

2.5.1 Individuals who do not carry out stack emissions monitoring at 5 different sites can still be certified. The scope of certification must be limited to the sites at which they work.

2.5.2 Because limited scope personnel’s experience is less broad than personnel who work on 5 sites or more, their oral exam will be specific to the sites they have worked on.

2.5.3 Individuals with limited scope certification can have the limitation to their scope removed by demonstrating they meet the experience requirements in section 2.4. Once they have done this, they must pass the oral exam for individuals who work on 5 sites or more.

2.6 Technical endorsements

2.6.1 To operate at MCERTS level 2, individuals shall obtain 1 or more following TEs.

Particulate monitoring by isokinetic sampling techniques (TE1)

This TE covers particulate monitoring by isokinetic sampling techniques. It also includes supporting measurements for water vapour and oxygen. Individuals must obtain TE1 in order to carry out particulate size fractionation measurements.

Multi-phase sampling techniques (TE2)

This TE covers isokinetic sampling for a range of species in the particulate and vapour phases.

Gases or vapours by manual techniques (TE3)

This TE covers monitoring gases and vapours by non-isokinetic manual techniques, which includes adsorption onto sorbent tubes and impinger solutions. See section 2.8 for limited TE3.

Gases or vapours by instrumental techniques (TE4)

This TE covers monitoring gases and vapours by instrumental techniques. See Section 2.8 for limited TE4.

2.7 Progression by technical endorsements

2.7.1 To obtain a TE in any one category, individuals must:

• achieve MCERTS certification at level 1
• perform the manual stack emission monitoring methods specific to the TE, at the MCERTS level 1 competency, 5 times (not required if an individual already has TE1 – see paragraph 2.7.3)
• pass the relevant TE exams

2.7.2 Candidates must have gained the minimum experience requirements before taking the TE exam(s).

2.7.3 You must have TE1 in order to get TE2. Candidates that have TE1 can get the other TEs by exam only, without prior site experience.

2.7.4 Candidates may take TEs before the level 2 exam. However, they cannot use these TEs until they pass the level 2 exam.

2.8 Limited technical endorsements (LTEs) for TE3 and TE4

2.8.1 For individuals whose certification is limited by site (as defined in paragraph 2.5) it is possible to get a limited TE for TE3 and TE4, called LTE3 and LTE4.

2.8.2 Candidates who only want to measure odour, using methods covered by TE3, can also get a LTE3. Their certification is not limited by site, but to only measuring odour.

2.8.3 Candidates who take an LTE are required to sit a single exam.

2.8.4 If individuals with an LTE wish to remove the limitation, they must pass the additional exam needed for a TE.

3. Personnel certification

3.1 Conformance assessment

3.1.1 The certification body shall assess whether an applicant meets the MCERTS personnel competency standard by:

• confirming work experience
• checking they have received the appropriate training (hazard identification and risk assessment relating to stack-emissions monitoring)
• exams

3.1.2 A level 2 person, with the relevant TEs, must confirm that the candidate has performed their work experience to a satisfactory standard. For individuals who have not been trained by a level 2 person, an individual within the quality system of the organisation, such as a quality manager, must carry out this confirmation.

3.1.3 The certification body shall appoint an exam board to set exams in line with the MCERTS for manual stack emissions monitoring syllabuses.

3.1.4 Exams shall be by multiple choice or structured written papers (or both) and, for level 2, an oral exam.

3.1.5 The exam board shall mark and assess candidates’ exam papers and performance in the oral exam.

3.1.6 The certification body shall provide a mechanism to handle appeals.

3.1.7 The certification body shall award an MCERTS personnel competency certificate to individuals who obtain certification. For level 2 this shall specify the TEs held and any limitations on scope.

3.1.8 Level 1 and 2 competencies, TEs, and the hazard identification and risk assessment course are valid for 5 years from the issue date. The expiry dates for the relevant competency level and the hazard identification and risk assessment course will be on the certificate. For level 2, the certificate shall also specify the dates TEs expire.

3.1.9 TEs obtained by level 1 personnel have a 5 year recertification period. TEs are not recorded on their certificate because they only become ‘active’ if they are certified to level 2. A TE must be recertified after 5 years, whether or not it is active.

3.1.10 There are several exam rounds at different times of the year. An exam board meeting shall follow each exam round. Personnel certification and TEs shall be dated from the day the exam board meets.

3.2 MCERTS register

3.2.1 The certification body shall maintain an MCERTS register of certified individuals. This shall include an outline of the scope of each person’s certification.

3.2.2 The certification body shall use the register to verify and provide information, on request, about whether an individual holds a current, valid certification and the scope of their certification.

3.3 Status of personnel certification

The certificate is awarded to an individual, on a personal basis, not to their employer. It moves with them if they change jobs. Any limitations would continue to apply.

3.4 Code of conduct

To maintain the integrity of the scheme, certified individuals must agree to comply with the code of conduct.

3.5 Complaints against MCERTS certified personnel

CSA will investigate complaints made against MCERTS certified personnel. They will submit the results of any investigations to the MCERTS exam board for review. If the exam board believe that a certified person has broken the code of conduct they will tell them about the complaint and give them the opportunity to respond. If after following this process, the exam board agree the complaint is justified, they may issue a warning letter or suspend the certification.

4. Recertification of personnel

4.1 Renewing MCERTS entry level (trainee)

Individuals who remain trainees for the 5 year certification period must re-register to remain in the scheme for a further 5 years.

4.2 MCERTS level 1 recertification (technician)

4.2.1 Level 1 certification is valid for 5 years from the issue date. Individuals must recertify before the end of this 5 year period to keep their certification for another 5 years. This recertification shall take account of their ongoing experience. Recertification provides confirmation that they have kept up their technical knowledge and are aware of any new developments in stack emission monitoring.

4.2.2 To be eligible for level 1 recertification, individuals must submit a confirmation of continuing work experience. This must state that, over a 5 year certification period, they have carried out monitoring at least 25 times. If level 1 personnel can demonstrate this they are eligible to be recertified.

4.2.3 Recertification consists of passing a level 1 recertification exam paper.

4.2.4 Level 1 personnel, who do not obtain level 2 certification before the end of the 5 year certification period, but wish to remain at level 1, must demonstrate continuing competence through the procedures described in 4.2.2 and 4.2.3.

4.2.5 On passing the exam, candidates shall be awarded level 1 certification for a further period of 5 years.

4.2.6 Candidates may apply to sit the level 1 exam up to 12 months before the expiry date on their current certificate. New certificates will be valid for a period of 5 years from the existing certificate’s expiry date.

4.2.7 Level 1 personnel who have not carried out monitoring for the minimum number of times by the end of the 5 year period will lose their level 1 certification. If they wish to stay in the scheme they must register at the MCERTS entry level. To regain level 1 certification they shall go through the full level 1 certification process, as outlined in section 2.3.

4.2.8 Candidates who do not pass their level 1 exam(s) before their certification has expired shall return to the MCERTS entry level. To regain level 1 certification they must go through the full level 1 certification process, as outlined in section 2.3.

4.3 MCERTS level 2 recertification (team leader)

4.3.1 Level 2 personnel certification is valid for a period of 5 years from the issue date. Individuals must undergo recertification before the end of the 5 year certification period to keep their certification for a further 5 years. This recertification shall take account of a person’s ongoing experience.

4.3.2 To be recertified, individuals must submit a confirmation of continuing work experience form. This must state that over the 5 year certification period, they have carried out manual stack emissions monitoring at least 25 times. For level 2 personnel who possess limited scope certification, this must be a least 5 times for each site they wish to include in their certification.

4.3.3 If individuals meet the requirements in paragraph 4.3.2 their level 2 personal certification will be renewed.

4.3.4 Level 2 personnel, who have not carried out monitoring for the minimum number of times by the end of the 5 year period, will lose their level 2 certification. If they wish to remain in the scheme they must register as a level 1 (their level 1 certification will be valid for 5 years from the date they register). To regain level 2 certification they must undergo full level 2 certification, as outlined in section 2.4.

4.3.5 Level 2 personnel who do not provide evidence that they meet the experience requirements before the end of the 5 year certification period shall lose their level 2 certification. This means they are no longer certified to carry out stack emission monitoring work.

4.3.6 If individuals provide evidence that they meet the recertification requirements (of 4.3.2) in the 5 years after their certificate expires, the certification body shall reinstate their level 2 certification for 5 years. This will start from the date their original certificate expired. However, they would not be certified to carry out stack emissions monitoring work from the date their certificate expired, until the date they demonstrate that they meet the requirements of 4.3.2.

4.3.7 Level 2 personnel, who do not show that they meet the recertification requirements for level 2 in the 12 months before, or the 5 years after, their certificate expires, can register in the scheme as a level 1. To regain level 2 certification they must undergo full level 2 certification, as outlined in section 2.4.

4.3.8 Individuals who are not actively working in stack emissions monitoring at the time their recertification is due, can be recertified provided they have met the requirements of 4.3.2.

4.4 Maintaining technical endorsements

4.4.1 TEs are valid for 5 years from the date of issue.

4.4.2 Personnel must undergo reassessment before the end of the 5 year period. This assessment shall provide confirmation that they have retained their technical knowledge and are aware of any new developments in stack-emission monitoring.

4.4.3 TEs will be assessed by a recertification exam. Candidates holding an LTE will take a recertification exam based on the limited scope of their certification.

4.4.4 Candidates may apply to sit the required exams up to 12 months before the expiry date shown on their current certificate. On passing the exam, new certificates will be valid for 5 years from the expiry date of the existing certificate.

4.4.5 Candidates who do not pass the relevant exam in the 5 year time period will have the TE removed from their certificate. To regain the TE, candidates must pass the TE certification exams. On passing the exams, the new certificate will be valid for 5 years from the date they passed.

4.4.6 Individuals who do not maintain TE1 will not be able to use TE2. TE2 will be removed from the certificate along with TE1.

4.4.7 Level 2 personnel must continue to hold at least one TE. Individuals who do not have a TE to accompany their level 2 certification are not able to operate at level 2 until they obtain a TE. If they wish to stay in the scheme they must register at level 1. To regain level 2 certification they must pass the exams for a TE.

4.5 Maintaining the hazard identification and risk assessment course

4.5.1 In order to remain certified to level 1 or 2 individuals must take an approved hazard identification and risk assessment course relevant to stack emissions monitoring every 5 years. This confirms that individuals remain up to date with changes in health and safety legislation and practices that apply stack emission monitoring.

4.5.2 Individuals may take a hazard identification and risk assessment course up to 12 months before the previous course expires. The 5 years runs from the expiry date of the previous course.

5. Maintaining certification during periods of extended absence

5.1 If an individual is unable to meet the level 1 or level 2 experience requirements, due to for example ill health or maternity leave, they can make a written submission explaining their situation. In these circumstances, they may be able to maintain their certification by exams only.

5.2 If an individual is unable to sit the required exams, up to 12 months before the expiry date on their certificate, due to, for example, ill health or maternity leave, they can make a written submission explaining their situation. In these circumstances, they may be able to sit their exams at a later date.

6. Certification and supervision requirements

Here is a summary of the different stack emissions monitoring activities that can be carried out by each certification level.

Trainee

A trainee can carry out site work, but all activities must be under the direct supervision of a level 2 employee. This requires all work being observed.

Level 1

Level 1 personnel can:

• carry out risk assessments under direct supervision of level 2 personnel
• carry out site reviews under direct supervision of level 2 personnel
• produce site specific protocols (SSPs) authorised by level 2 personnel
• carry out site work under general supervision of level 2 personnel
• produce monitoring reports that are authorised by level 2 personnel

Direct supervision means that level 2 personnel must accompany level 1 personnel while carrying out risk assessments and site reviews.

To authorise SSPs and reports produced by level 1 personnel, level 2 personnel must check the completed documents in detail.

Level 2

Level 2 personnel can:

• carry out and approve risk assessments
• carry out and approve site reviews
• produce and approve SSPs
• carry out and provide general supervision of site work
• produce and approve monitoring reports from level 1 personnel

To provide general supervision level 2 personnel must be actively involved in the practical work of monitoring on site. However, they do not have to observe all the work carried out by the team they are supervising.

Level 2 personnel must hold TEs relevant to the monitoring required. This applies to carrying out the risk assessment, planning the work, carrying out the site work and producing the report.

7. Code of conduct

1. I agree to comply with the ‘MCERTS Personnel competency standard’ and ‘MCERTS Performance standard for organisations’.

This applies when individuals are carrying out MCERTS accredited stack emissions monitoring.

2. I agree to follow the health and safety principles in the ‘Risk assessment guide: Industrial emission monitoring’ from the Source Testing Association.

This applies to all stack emissions monitoring, including unaccredited work. If an individual, does not follow the health and safety principles in the ‘Risk assessment guide: Industrial emission monitoring, Source Testing Association’ at all times, CSA may suspend or withdraw their certification.

3. I agree to comply with the ‘Regulations applicable to holders of CSA certificates’ and to inform CSA, without delay, of anything that may affect my capability to fulfil the certification requirements.

4. I agree not to release confidential exam materials or participate in fraudulent exam-taking practices

5. I agree to only make claims about my MCERTS certification that accord with the scope and status of certification awarded to me.

6. I agree not to use my certification in a misleading manner.

7. I agree not to use my MCERTS certification in a way that brings CSA or the Environment Agency into disrepute.

8. I agree not to make any misleading or unauthorised statement regarding my MCERTS certification.

9. Upon suspension or withdrawal of my MCERTS certification, I agree to immediately discontinue any claim to hold certification and to return all certificates and identification cards to CSA.

8. Personnel doing offshore work in the oil and gas industry

This section is only applicable to staff who work offshore in the oil and gas industry.

This extension of the MCERTS personnel certification scheme was developed on behalf of the Offshore Petroleum Regulator for Environment and Decommissioning, part of Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Individuals who only carry out stack emissions monitoring work at offshore locations can obtain MCERTS certification, but the scope of their certification is limited to offshore work.

All the requirements of the MCERTS scheme apply to offshore workers, though there are some exceptions, as follows.

Candidates with a scope that is limited to offshore work only do not have to take one of the approved training courses on hazard identification and risk assessment. This is because all offshore staff receive comprehensive training in this area before working offshore.

In addition:

• candidates who are restricted to offshore work may take LTE4

• level 2 candidates take an oral exam that is specific to the type of work they do

Individuals certified to level 2 with a scope that is limited to offshore work only can have this restriction removed by demonstrating they meet the experience requirements in section 2.4. Once they have done this, they must pass the oral exam for individuals who work onshore.