The government’s Energy Company Obligation (ECO) regulations to make homes in the UK more energy efficient AND improve quality and installation standards across the energy industry have been formalized by parliament.
The new regulations (ECO3: improving consumer protection) now includes NHIC Member, TrustMark as the only Government Endorsed Quality scheme.
It means any contractors operating within the ECO environment, completing energy improvements on homes need to be registered with TrustMark and working under the requirements of the TrustMark Framework Operating Requirement (FOR), providing householders with high levels of confidence and protection.
Simon Ayers, CEO of TrustMark, said: “We are looking forward to working with the energy sector, alongside our current TrustMark Scheme Providers, to support the Government’s Energy Company Obligation and the delivery of the new energy efficiency retrofit standards.
“The industry across many sectors is in a significant period of change, not just in the energy sector. Our role is to work with, and collaborate with, organisations and businesses to help consumers make improvements to their homes and enhance the protection they can depend on when making such decisions. We are keen to support the many innovative ideas for compliance and the new technologies that will be developed to help smooth the route for businesses to deliver these new requirements.”
Lynn Hugo, Non-Executive Director of the new, independent TrustMark board, said: “Improving the energy efficiency of people’s homes is key to helping the UK reduce its contribution to global warming. TrustMark is driven by several factors, including helping consumers make improvements to the energy efficiency of their homes and enhancing the protection they can depend on when making such decisions.”
The revisions of the ECO regulations were laid in parliament on Thursday 31 October 2019, coming into force on 1 January 2020. All contractors carrying out ECO energy improvement works should be registered with TrustMark by the new year. The regulations also require contractors carrying out work to input information about the job into TrustMark’s Data Warehouse, that will act as a repository of information about work undertaken in and around the property.
Anna Scothern, NHIC Chief Executive said “As valued members of the NHIC we are extremely proud to see TrustMark, the only government endorsed quality scheme, linked intrinsically with the delivery of new ECO regulations. Like us TrustMark are passionate about improving standards for householders. Everyone has a right to live in a safe, healthy and efficient home.”
It has been proven that people who live in a safe and efficient environment are mentally and physically healthier, so we would like to congratulate TrustMark for working hard on behalf of the home improvement industry to improve quality and surety of delivery around energy efficient home improvements.
The NHIC advocates home modernisation in line with energy efficiency and climate emergency targets, and plays a major role in raising the standard and quality of the home improvement industry.
For more information about the National Home Improvement Council please visit www.nhic.org.uk