MCERTS Conference Review

MCERTS is now AQE (The Air Quality and Emissions) show

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MCERTS 2009, the key features of the Conference included presentations from high profile speakers

Repeating on both days of MCERTS 2009, the key features of the Conference included presentations from high profile speakers at the Environment Agency (EA), NPL, UKAS and AEAT. These included: a detailed examination of the implications of the Environment Agency's Better Regulation programme and the move to greater Operator Self Monitoring (OSM); an overview of the relationship between MCERTS and new CEN and ISO Standards; an assessment of the role of monitoring, reporting and verification under the EU Emissions Trading Scheme; correlation between greenhouse gas emissions reported nationally and those reported from industrial facilities for process regulation; and UKAS involvement in accreditation to EN 14181.

The Agency's John Tipping described how the Agency continually seeks to improve its regulatory activities by balancing a wide variety of different (and sometimes conflicting) needs to deliver risk based, costeffective regulation. Environmental protection is the overall objective, but it is also important to avoid the imposition of an unnecessary burden on industry, so the Agency encourages process operators to take responsibility for their own performance and thereby engender trust in their relationship with the regulator.

From April 2008 the PPC and Waste Management Regulations were consolidated into the Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR) and OSM is a key feature of the new regime. Monitoring standards are specified within MCERTS and operator performance is now measured under the OPRA (Operational Risk Appraisal) and OMA (Operator Monitoring Assessment) schemes which represent a greater emphasis on auditing.

John mentioned that Operator Monitoring Assessment (OMA) was established to strengthen the auditing of operators' self-monitoring arrangements. Initially, OMA was applied to the monitoring of emissions to air from industrial processes regulated under Integrated Pollution Control (IPC). However, it is now being extended to the monitoring of emissions to air and water from EPR (Environmental Permitting Regulations) installations. John advised process operators not to wait for the EA to visit, but to"download the guidance from the EA web site now – and get on with it!"

Jeff Ruddle, Accreditation Manager (Environment) at UKAS gave a presentation outlining a pilot project for accreditation to BS EN14181 - Quality Assurance for automated monitoring systems. The pilot project will enable UKAS to test the suitability of assessment criteria and provide stakeholders with confidence in the value of accreditation for this activity.If the project is successful, all participants (there are 16 applicants) will receive accreditation in December 2010.

Jeff also expressed concern with the number of instances in which UKAS, stakeholders and process operators had not been satisfied with work undertaken by a significant number of stack emissions testing organisations, largely as a result of their failure to follow correct procedures. Consequently, he said, “We will be increasing the frequency of unannounced visits and will also raise awareness of the importance of following correct procedures and accreditation. Furthermore, we will instigate a process whereby sanctions are published so that process operators are better informed in their choice of monitoring provider.”

Reflecting on UKAS’s experience to-date in the accreditation of various monitoring standards Jeff said, “The employment of an MCERTS approved contractor does not absolve the process operator of all responsibilities relating to the quality of monitoring that is undertaken on its own site."

The EA's Rob Gemmill provided an update on implementation of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) in the UK, with particular emphasis on the requirements for monitoring, reporting and verification. This included reference to some of the latest developments concerning aviation, carbon capture and storage and the revised version of the EU ETS Directive that is due to take effect from 2013.

Rob described the tools that have been made available to assist those affected by the EU ETS. For example, web sites for quick and easy access to documents such as a guide to the EU Monitoring and Reporting Guidelines, standard forms, FAQs etc. These aids have been developed as part of a collaborative approach which has been important for promoting efficient and consistent delivery, and which is ultimately key to generating a level playing field.

Rob also made reference to the role and importance of independent verification of monitoring activities including the identification of any necessary improvements. He explained that the Agency is looking for continuous improvement of monitoring plans, better preparation for verification, improved QA/QC procedures and prompt reporting.

Rob's presentation included a summary of the steps for UK implementation of the EU ETS and a further slide provided an overview of the EU ETS compliance cycle – view his presentation on the STA web site for more information.

Rod Robinson from NPL delivered a presentation in which he reviewed the requirements for monitoring under the current and proposed emissions trading schemes and assessed the role that direct emission measurements will play in support of such schemes.

It is now over ten years since the EA launched its MCERTS scheme for Continuous Emission Monitors (CEMs). Since then, manufacturers have succeeded in achieving certification for dozens of types of CEMs, whilst the scheme has both evolved internationally and expanded in scope. The Agency's Rick Gould examined the development of MCERTS, outlining the impact of new international standards within the context of recent EC legislative developments. For example, the new quality assurance standard that specifies performance standards EN 15267-3 (Air quality. Certification of automated measuring systems. Part 3) is based on the aligned MCERTS and German schemes and was published just 2 days prior to MCERTS 2009.

Mike Woodfield from AEA Technology provided an examination of the new BS EN ISO 11771 standard 'Air Quality: Determination of time averaged mass emissions and emissions factors - general approach.' He explained how this will improve the emissions data used to develop air pollution and climate change policies on a national and international level. The presentation also outlined how the new standard is likely to generate new business opportunities for stack testers.

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