Posted: 21 December, 2018. Written by Georgia
Revision of the rules
Following a technical review by UKAS, discussions with industry, and a consultation process, we have finalised the new version of the BCS Scheme Rules. Version 5 and the accompanying 'BCS Position on Technical Requirements' document (formerly technical guidance) are available to download below. These scheme rules are issued today and come into effect on 1st January 2019.
Key changes to the rules include:
• Introduction of the 'Quality Assurance' category of certification
• Introduction of the Research Hub and Research Fees
• New conformity marks
• Introduction of risk-based spot checks
Implementation timescales
There are few changes to the Scheme Rules with regard to the requirements that compost producers must meet if certified through the scheme, therefore, we have set a one-month transition period during which producers will be required to make any changes to documentation e.g. references to Scheme Rules version 8. There is a deadline of 1st February 2019 to implement these changes.
However, the research fees for the Compost and Biofertiliser Certification Schemes' Research Hub will be charged by the certification bodies with the certification fees from 1st January 2019, and for the use of the new conformity marks, we have set a six-month transition period with a deadline of 1st July 2019.