Services - MCERTS

MCERTS for the Self Monitoring of Effluent Flow

The Environment Agency requires process operators to have their effluent flow-monitoring arrangements independently inspected and certified as conforming to their requirements by Sira (the MCERTS Inspection Body).

All PPC regulated sites with an effluent flow monitoring requirement in their permit must have their flow monitoring arrangements inspected under the MCERTS scheme by 31 December 2008 in order to fulfil their environmental responsibilities. This is a mandatory requirement.

Sira, in partnership with the Environment Agency and Emerson Process Management, are holding a series of one-day training workshops to assist PPC regulated sites with the various aspects of compliance with the scheme, from initial site survey through to certification.

The MCERTS scheme is described in the following Environment Agency standards:

Minimum Requirements for the Self-Monitoring of Effluent Flow (v 3.2)

Competency Standard for MCERTS Inspectors - Effluent Flow Monitoring (v 3)

Achieving Compliance

Compliance is achieved by satisfactory completion of a Site Inspection and a Management System audit.

Site inspection

An inspection of the site flow monitoring arrangements to verify the suitability of the flowmeter and whether it has been installed, set-up and is operating correctly. Site inspections are carried out every five years by MCERTS Inspectors who are appointed by Sira. To locate an MCERTS Inspector in your area see the list of appointed Service Providers shown below. Alternatively, you can use the Sira "one-stop" solution.

Contact a Service provider to arrange a site inspection.

Management System audit

To ensure that the flow monitoring arrangements are maintained, calibrated and verified adequately between MCERTS inspections, a managament system must be established and maintained. A Sira MCERTS auditor will conduct an audit of the management system which must address the thirteen management system elements in the MCERTS standard. The auditor will prepare an audit report detailing the audit findings. General guidance on the management system requirements can be found here.

Contact Sira to to arrange a management system audit.

Following satisfactory completion of the Site Inspection and Management System audit, an MCERTS Site Conformity Inspection Certificate will be prepared for the site.

Act now before the deadline...!

It is important that you start to work towards compliance now as it can take several months to complete the necessary work. You may find that remedial work is required before your flow monitoring arrangements can be satisfactorily inspected. Management System documentation which specifically addresses flow measurement may need to be prepared in advance of the audit.

A "one-stop" solution

In order for you to meet your regulatory compliance obligations in a timely and cost-effective manner, Sira has developed a "one-stop-solution" to help you achieve compliance before the deadline. Sira will project manage the process on your behalf, organising for an MCERTS Inspector and management system auditor to attend site and carry out the necessary work. More information can be found here

Alternatively, you can organise the site inspection and the management system audit yourself. A list of appointed Service Providers is shown here.

Contact us at: mcerts@sira.co.uk