Monitoring Certification Scheme
Glossary of common terms used in the management of land contamination, published on the Planning Portal, defines The Monitoring Certification Scheme (MCERTS) as: ‘…a quality assurance scheme for providers of monitoring services, equipment and systems, which is administered by the Environment Agency and accredited by UKAS.’
It establishes standards for monitoring equipment, systems, and professionals to ensure high-quality environmental monitoring, particularly for emissions, water quality, and other environmental parameters. The scheme is widely recognised as a benchmark for accuracy, reliability, and compliance in environmental monitoring.
Its purpose is to ensure that environmental monitoring data is accurate, reliable, and fit for regulatory and reporting purposes and to promote the use of high-quality monitoring equipment and competent personnel for compliance with environmental regulations.
MCERTS applies to various areas of environmental monitoring, including:
- Air emissions monitoring (e.g., from industrial chimneys).
- Water and wastewater monitoring (e.g., effluent discharge quality).
- Continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS).
- Ambient air quality monitoring.
- Soil sampling and gas monitoring.
Key Areas of MCERTS include:
- Equipment Certification.
- Personnel Certification.
- Laboratory Certification.
- Site-Based Monitoring.
MCERTA helps organisations demonstrate compliance with environmental permits and regulations and ensures that monitoring results are accurate, consistent, and reliable. It provides a standardised approach to environmental monitoring across industries and boosts confidence in monitoring data among regulators, industry stakeholders, and the public. Certified products and services are listed on the MCERTS database, allowing industries to select approved equipment and providers.
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