Accreditation Schemes for Energy Assessors New Quality Assurance Requirements - July 2010

Following the recent re-issue of QA requirements from CLG we are introducing a new audit process to ensure BRE Global and scheme members continue to comply with regulations. The new CLG requirements have been up-loaded onto the scheme members area so that all scheme members have direct access, click here to download.click here This presentation will explain some of the new processes we are introducing and what this means for scheme members. Introducing a new Quality Assurance and auditing system - July 2010

Why have CLG introduced new requirements? Quite simply to help further improve the quality of EPCs and to bring enhanced regulations which will help to control and regulate accreditation schemes and energy assessors activities. What does this mean for Accreditation Schemes? From 1 st July 2010 ALL accreditation schemes MUST comply with the new regulations – any scheme not complying will be subject to possible suspension of licence to operate a scheme. Introducing a new Quality Assurance and auditing system - July 2010

What does this mean for energy assessors? All accreditation schemes will now have to implement new QA systems to comply with the enhanced CLG requirements. In many instances this will mean that assessors may find an increased number of audits being requested to comply with new sampling rates. What does this mean for BRE Global scheme members? Scheme members need to be aware that when an audit is now requested it is very important that the EPC / DEC is provided to the scheme within the timescales stated on the request in order to avoid being found non compliant for failing to provide audit information (as per the CLG regulations). Introducing a new Quality Assurance and auditing system - July 2010

What changes have been introduced for the BRE Global schemes? We have now introduced a new QA system through the audit portal, this makes the process of submitting your audit very simple and easy. A full set of instructions can be found in the scheme members area within the my audit folder.my audit folder A new QA Co-ordinator (Karen Gerrelli) has been appointed within the team to manage the process of audit submissions. The following presentation explains the this process and what is required from scheme members… Introducing a new Quality Assurance and auditing system - July 2010

The audit submission process follows a simple five stage chasing system to ensure that all required EPCs and DECs are submitted to the scheme for audit: Initial Audit request: Introducing a new Quality Assurance and auditing system - July 2010 STAGE 1 – REQUEST An audit request is sent out from QA PORTAL (1st week of month) to scheme members who have had an EPC selected for audit. Audit request will be for EPCs lodged during the previous month (eg request sent is against lodgements made during June)

Audit reminder notice: Introducing a new Quality Assurance and auditing system - July 2010 STAGE 2 – REMINDER If no audit is uploaded into portal by scheme member a reminder will be sent out automatically 8 days later. If you receive a reminder this is your notice that we urgently require you to upload your EPC documents via the portal 8 days later

Final Reminder: Introducing a new Quality Assurance and auditing system July 2010 STAGE 3 – FINAL REMINDER If requested EPC is still not up loaded into portal by scheme member a final reminder will be sent out a further 7 days later. This gives notice that in 7 days, unless audit request is answered, membership will be suspended.. If you receive a final reminder e- mail this is your notice that we still need you to up-load your document via the portal – you should note that you will not receive any further reminders the next stage of the process will mean that your are suspended and not able to lodge EPCS 7 days later

Suspension notice: Introducing a new Quality Assurance and auditing system - July 2010 STAGE 4 – SUSPENSION NOTICE If requested EPC is still not up loaded into portal by scheme member audit is closed a further 7 days later and scheme member is suspended for failing to comply with audit requirements. If you receive a notification of suspension this means that you are no longer able to lodge EPCs and will now longer be active as a BRE energy assessor. You will need to contact the scheme in order to arrange for the suspension to be lifted. The suspension will only be lifted once we have received all the necessary documents for us to be able to complete your audit. 7 days later

Cancellation of membership: Introducing a new Quality Assurance and auditing system - July 2010 STAGE 5 – CANCELLATION OF MEMBERSHIP After a period of 30 days following notice of suspension if a scheme member has still not responded to the audit request membership will be cancelled. If you do not contact the scheme following suspension within 30 days of notification of the suspension your membership will automatically be cancelled and you will no longer be a member of the BRE schemes. This will require you to re-apply to the scheme should you wish to re-instate your membership at a future point. 30 days later

Additional Quality at no extra cost… So will this mean increased fees to cover the cost of the additional audits required by the new QA requirements? No – the BRE Global schemes (unlike some schemes) will not be introducing additional fees to cover the cost of standard additional audits. We aim to provide scheme members with quality services which represent value – so be careful of hidden costs with other accreditation schemes! Introducing a new Quality Assurance and auditing system - July 2010

BRE Global Accreditation Scheme - key contacts: The team at BRE are always available to assist scheme members, and have a dedicated Quality Assurance team to help scheme members with any queries they may have, the following are your key contacts within the QA team: Peter Ward – Principal Consultant and Technical Manager Karen Gerrelli – Finance and Quality Assurance Co-ordinator Chandni Radia - Quality Assurance Administrator If you require any assistance or further information please contact us: Tel: Introducing a new Quality Assurance and auditing system - July 2010

What happens next? Within the next few weeks we will be issuing a Scheme Quality Plan to all Scheme Members which explains all the new procedures in detail and what is required in order to maintain your membership with BRE Global. This will be uploaded onto the members area, this is your guide to your scheme so it is important that you familiarise yourself with the new requirements. BRE Global Accreditation Schemes for Energy Assessors Delivering Quality, Integrity & Opportunity Introducing a new Quality Assurance and auditing system - July 2010