Extension of the Agency’s Monitoring Certification Scheme MCERTS to include Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Instruments

ABSTRACT
The Environment Agency launched its Monitoring Certification Scheme MCERTS for continuous emission monitoring systems (CEMs) for industrial stacks at CEM98. At the time the Agency referred to its plans to broaden the Scheme later to include other monitoring activities. This paper presents details of the proposed extension of MCERTS to cover continuous ambient air quality monitoring instruments.

INTRODUCTION
The Agency launched its Monitoring Certification Scheme MCERTS at CEM98 to promote quality monitoring data based on international standards. MCERTS initially focused on continuous emission monitoring systems for industrial stacks. Performance standards for instruments have been specified for a common range of pollutants and temperature, pressure, moisture and mass flow⁽¹⁾. The Agency has appointed Sira Certification Service as the certification body to operate MCERTS on its behalf.

This paper presents the details of the Agency's proposed extension of MCERTS to continuous ambient monitoring instruments. The paper covers:
· the background;
· the benefits of MCERTS as applied to ambient instruments;
· the scope of the extension to the Scheme;
· the performance standards;
· the procedure to follow to apply for and acquire instrument certification;
· future MCERTS developments.