In May 2025, DESNZ issued a consultation on the Clean Heat Market Mechanism (CHMM). The consultation closed on 2 July 2025.
The consultation was split into two sections:
- Setting a Year 2 heat pump target level within the proposed range of 8-10% of relevant boiler sales
- Naming MCS as the sole certification scheme for the Clean Heat Market Mechanism
Our response
MCS has submitted its response to the consultation, focussed on the second part (naming MCS as the sole certification scheme for the CHMM.)
In our response, we have outlined why MCS is well-placed to take on the responsibility of being the sole certification scheme for the CHMM and other clean heat installations under government clean heat schemes.
- Firstly, there are clear and significant advantages to having a single, trusted certification scheme for clean heat measures. It will simplify the landscape by giving households and industry a single, trusted route to certification. We are concerned that ‘equivalency’ in this context could lead to a race to the bottom, at the cost of quality and consumer protection. It also risks an installer losing their certification with one scheme, only to move to an alternative to maintain their access to government grants. We understand that competition can achieve good outcomes for consumers in driving innovation and bringing down costs in other industries – but consumer protection and standards are not an appropriate area for competition.
- Secondly, MCS standards are written by industry, for industry, developed with expert working groups drawn from industry to ensure they reflect best practice. This puts us at the heart of the sector, with standards development benefiting from over 200 experts, including installers, manufacturers, consumer protection experts and respected academics. This is underpinned by robust governance which ensures proposed changes to / the creation of new standards are subject to public consultation.
- Finally, as we deploy the redeveloped MCS during 2025 / 2026, it’s clear that there isn’t, and won’t be, an equivalent scheme that offers:
- design and installation standards across the spectrum of technologies;
- the same level of consumer protections;
- the existing working relationship with the Environment Agency in delivering the CHMM.
MCS looks forward to seeing the outcome of DESNZ’s consultation, and will continue to support the government in giving everyone confidence in home-grown energy.