MCS

Renewables and energy · Low-carbon installation and product certification scheme

MCS sets standards for specified small-scale renewable and low-carbon technologies and certifies installers and products through its scheme arrangements. Installer certification and product certification are separate checks.

Checked November 2026Official sources below.

What it covers and whether it is required

MCS is not a universal legal licence for solar panels or heat pumps. It can be a condition of a particular grant or energy payment arrangement. Check the current funding rules as well as the installation’s technical and Building Regulations requirements.

Joining requirements and costs

The redeveloped installer scheme is live in 2026, with a phased transition. It combines certification-body technical assessment with MCS checks, an installer agreement and the Customer Commitment. Under that redeveloped scheme, consumer code membership is no longer mandatory; approved financial protection requirements still apply.

Check the current fees with MCS before applying. Ask whether the quotation includes application, assessment, renewal and any per-job charges. Use published fees or ask for a written quotation.

What it means for homeowners

Check the business in the MCS installer directory for the technology you need. Ask which scheme version governs the installation, who handles a complaint and what financial protection covers the work. Do not assume an old statement requiring RECC or HIES membership applies to every installer in 2026.

How to check a claim

Official member, card or certificate check: MCS.

Match the record to the named person or contracting business. Check the current scope, not just a logo on a van or an old certificate. If the public record does not show the detail you need, ask the body to confirm it before appointing the business.

Where the scheme applies

UK scheme. Grant eligibility, installation standards and notification duties differ by programme and nation, so confirm the rules for England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland as applicable.

Common questions

Must every MCS installer also belong to RECC or HIES?

Not under the redeveloped scheme. MCS says consumer code membership is no longer mandatory there. Legacy scheme, technology and funding conditions must still be checked for the job.

How do I check MCS status?

Use the official verification service linked in this guide. Match the person or legal business name, current status and relevant work category. For a guarantee, check the document issued for your contract as well.

Official sources

Sources checked November 2026. Scheme rules can change; confirm current requirements before applying or signing a contract.

MCS