FAQ's
How long before my site can be BCS certified?
Site certification depends mainly on the retention time of the digester as 3 clear residual biogas potential tests are required before a plant can be certified. Thus, once the plant is up and running smoothly we can have you on the way to certification in 3 times your retention time.
Where do I send my samples to be tested?
Currently the only laboratory which can test for PAS 110 is NRM Contact them for a price list.
What happens at my initial visit?
You will be assigned an auditor who will come and visit you on site. The auditor will phone in advance of the visit to arrange a suitable time and explain what documentation and records will be required. At the end of your inspection a visit record sheet will state if any non-compliances have been found and when corrective action needs to be received in office.
What happens after my assessment?
You will be given written confirmation of your non-compliances if there are any. Once, corrective action has been evaluated if necessary and deemed as sufficient your report will be passed onto the certification officer to certify. If the certification officer is happy with the report you will receive conformation that you have received certification from BCS. SFQC will send you a certificate with your unique BCS membership number.
How often will my unit be assessed?
Your unit will be assessed annually.
Do I need a pasteurisation unit?
As a general rule if you are taking food or waste from a source out with your own land you will require a pasteurisation unit. Sadly it is not this simple, further details are provided in 7.2 in the standards. Phone the office if you have any specific queries and we can advise you.
Are there different rules for different parts of the UK?
Due to devolution of Scottish agriculture there is an additional annex A in the Scheme Regulations for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. There are also different regulations for Ireland.
What are the benefits in joining the BCS scheme?
The main benefit of the BCS scheme is that digestate is no longer classed as a waste but is now a product which can be sold. Waste licenses are no longer needed to apply PAS 110 digestate to land. By joining the BCS scheme your customers have assurance that digestate is produced to legal and good practice requirements. More benefits can be found on the biofertiliser certification scheme website or under Why join BCS.
What is the difference between BCS scheme and PAS110?
The Renewable Energy Association's Biofertiliser Certification Scheme (BCS) has been created with the purpose of certifying biogas plants against PAS110 in Scotland and PAS110 and Quality Protocol (QP) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland for the production of digestate and biodegradable waste. Therefore in simple terms to comply with PAS110 you need to be certified with BCS.