Certification for Fuel and Appliance Emissions Testing

The Authority is looking for a supplier that will deliver a comprehensive certification, testing, verification of test results, and audit service to enable Defra to fulfil statutory requirements under the Clean Air Act 1993 and the Air Quality (Domestic Solid Fuels Standards) (England) Regulations 2020.

This includes the supplier acting as the approved certification body for both wood fuel, manufactured solid fuels and solid fuel appliances, where the supplier will assess applications and evidence including test results from an appropriate test facility.

The supplier will directly undertake the required testing of wood fuel, review the test results for manufactured solid fuels and appliances, issue and manage certifications, and provide impartial technical advice and recommendations on fuels and appliance approvals. The service will include regular planned and risk-based auditing, along with routine and incident-driven compliance investigations. The supplier will also be responsible for maintaining effective digital systems, public-facing registers of authorised fuels and appliances, supporting transparent scheme administration and statutory reporting.

The contract is expected to run from early 2027 to 2035.