Emissions regulations theme for MCERTS 2011

Jan. 17, 2011 - PRLog -- The latest in a series of events that began in 2003, MCERTS 2011 will be comprised of a conference, an exhibition and over one hundred walk-in/walk-out workshops.

The main conference at MCERTS 2011, which is organised by the Source Testing Association (STA) and the Environment Agency, will focus on forthcoming regulations including the new Industrial Emissions Directive, Operator Monitoring Assessments (OMA) and the MCERTS monitoring certification scheme.
visit http://www.envirotech-online.com/news/air-monitoring/6/mcerts/emissions_regulations_theme_for_mcerts_2011/13475/ for details.

Recent advances in EN14181 (Quality Assurance of Automatic Measuring Systems) will be addressed including UKAS accreditation and functional test requirements from the perspective of the regulators.

The conference will also address the practical considerations of the application of EN15259 (Measurement of stationary source emissions - Requirements for measurement sections and sites and for the measurement objective, plan and report) which has been one of the most influential standards to be published in this area.

The Environment Agency’s monitoring certification scheme, MCERTS, is critical to the success of operator self-monitoring (OSM) and John Tipping, who manages the scheme, will explain how OSM, OMA and MCERTS combine to improve the quality of emissions monitoring.

John will describe how the Agency continually seeks to improve its regulatory activities by balancing a wide variety of different (and sometimes conflicting) needs to deliver risk based, cost-effective regulation. Environmental protection is the overall objective, but it is also important to avoid the imposition of an unnecessary burden on industry, so the Agency encourages process operators to take responsibility for their own performance and thereby engender trust in their relationship with the regulator.

From April 2008 the PPC and Waste Management Regulations were consolidated into the Environmental Permitting Regulations (EPR) and OSM is a key feature of the new regime. Monitoring standards are specified within MCERTS and operator performance is measured under the OPRA (Operational Risk Appraisal) and OMA (Operator Monitoring Assessment) schemes. John Tipping will also provide an update on the progress being made by these initiatives.

The Conference presentations will be repeated on both days of the event, providing visitors with an opportunity to also attend workshops and visit the exhibition.

The MCERTS workshops will cover a broad spectrum of subjects, providing practical guidance on the measurement of almost all measurands of interest. New technologies will be unveiled and case studies will be provided to help visitors find new ways to address their monitoring needs.

The event will also feature a gala MCERTS presentation dinner which will be attended by Malcolm Lythgo, Head of Monitoring and Analytical Services at the Environment Agency.

The exhibition provides visitors with an opportunity to view and discuss those products and services that are of interest or that catch their attention during a workshop or whilst browsing the exhibition.

MCERTS 2011 will be a truly unique event, providing visitors with an opportunity to meet with the entire emissions monitoring industry in one place – including the EA, the Source Testing Association (STA), SIRA, NPL, UKAS, test houses, consultants, equipment manufacturers, service providers, researchers and industrial process operators.

Looking forward to MCERTS 2011 organiser Dave Curtis from the STA says, "2011 promises to be another great event, building on the success of previous years.

"I think there are a number of reasons for this success. Firstly, MCERTS has become an established red letter date in the diaries of everyone involved in air monitoring because it provides an opportunity to catch up on the latest regulatory information; secondly visitors are able to view all of the latest monitoring technologies; thirdly, process operators can network with people that are facing the same challenges in their working lives and finally, the more recent emphasis on operator self-monitoring means that process operators have to have a greater understanding of the monitoring requirements.”

Entry to MCERTS 2011 will cost £55 for a one day pass or £100 for a two day pass. This will entitle visitors to attend the exhibition and all conference and workshop sessions. Onsite parking is also included and free lunches and refreshments are provided.

# # #

About enviortech-online.com - publishers of enviornmental science equipment news, articles and technical papers. International Environmental technology is the leading european title for the latest developments in analytical instrumentation for environmental science.