1. When you are ready, get in touch with BCS to inform them that your plant is ready to start the certification process
2. Read the PAS110 and Quality Protocol which can be downloaded
3. Review your facility against the criteria in the PAS110 and QP documents to determine those changes that are necessary to pass the standard. There is a checklist that will be used by the certifying body when they inspect your plant that may be useful to review the facility against the criteria in the PAS110 and QP documents.
4. Request record keeping template documents from REAL where necessary or download from here.
5. You may need a guide to instituting a Quality Management system or HACCP system. There are consultants who can advise on this (see here).
6. Carry out the changes you identify as necessary
7. Select a Certification Body from the three contracted organisations and request an application form together with any documentation that is necessary for accreditation
8. Contact the approved laboratories to discuss taking samples and submitting for testing.
• You will need to request a temporary certification code from REAL (info@realschemes.org.uk) to provide on the PAS110 Digestate Analysis Request Form.
• You can download the analysis request form from the Laboratory Tests page of this website.
9. Forward the full application form plus accompanying documents and fee to the Certifying Body
10. The application is reviewed by a Certification Officer (CO) to ascertain if the plant system is in line with the requirements of the standard, and if it is, then an appointment to visit the site is made.
11. If however there is still work to be completed the Certification Officer (CO) notifies the plant of the requirements and when the changes have been made the CO will make a site visit
12. A site inspection is carried out by a Certification Officer
13. If successful this marks the start of validation
14. If there are corrective actions then these are notified to you. The corrective action taken is then notified to the CO who will decide whether a further site visit is necessary
15. When the corrective action is accepted successfully, this marks the start of validation

Download the BCS detailed guidance document for applicants here