PHAM NEWS | SEPTEMBER 2025 10 News Review


Time to register your place for this year’s Screwfi x Live


Back at Farnborough International Exhibition Centre once again, from Friday 26th until Sunday 28th September, Screwfix Live has become a must-visit event for trade professionals. Now in its 12th year, Screwfix Live continues to grow in popularity, off ering customers the opportunity to interact with 200 leading trade brands, getting hands-on with the latest tools, products and innovations all under one roof. The show includes exclusive event-only off ers and giveaways, live product demos, hands-on experiences, expert Q&A sessions and much more. From power tools to workwear, plumbing to electricals, the range of products on display is huge, with over 7,500 exclusive show deals and at least 10% off the entire range of more than 75,000 products.


Screwfix commercial director Matt Compton says: “Sustainability


is


increasingly important to our customers, colleagues and our community. We’re really proud of what we’ve achieved so far and each year we’re delighted to showcase our amazing journey. We pride ourselves on making sustainability more convenient for our customers, through our recyclable packaging innovation, our Refurb by Screwfix circularity initiative or the increasing range of more sustainable products which are easily identifi able by the Green Star badge.” Last year, more than 26,000 visitors


attended Screwfi x Live over the three days – beating previous attendance numbers – with an increase of 40% on 2023’s total. Across the three-day event, Friday was the


busiest day, with more than 10,000 visitors passing through the doors.


Access all areas Building on the success of last year, Screwfi x Live will have more tills, more free parking, and extra seating space for customers to make the most of their day at the show. As always, there will be special celebrity


guests on each day of the show. Stay tuned to Screwfi x social media channels to fi nd out who will make an appearance this year. Screwfix MD Max Britten comments:


Free goody bag Screwfi x Live is free to attend and visitors can register now to secure their place and a free goody bag worth over £40. Once again, sustainability will be given


specifi c focus, with the Sustainability Hub at the heart of the show, featuring a refurb stand so customers can learn more about Refurb by Screwfix, the omnichannel retailer’s programme of keeping tools in use for longer. The stand will host live demonstrations of the company’s rigorous refurb processes that has given more than 250,000 products a second life since the scheme’s launch.


“Screwfi x Live is a real highlight of the year and a fantastic opportunity to bring the trade community together under one roof. Last year we welcomed more than 26,000 visitors to the show, and we’re thrilled to open registrations for what is set to be another incredible event. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or serious DIYer, there’s something for everyone at Screwfi x Live. We look forward to seeing you in September!”


Times and dates Screwfi x Live 2025 opens on Friday 26th September from 8:00 until 17:00, Saturday 27th from 9:00 until 17:00 and Sunday 28th from 9:30 until 16:00. To register for your free place and fi nd out more visit: screwfi xlive.com


explains Maintaining standards


Preparing for the redeveloped MCS


Ian Rippin, CEO at the Microgeneration Certifi cation Scheme (MCS), explains the transition to the Redeveloped Installer Scheme, implementing changes that are designed to drive quality across the renewables sector.


T


he new MCS has been designed with industry in mind, drawing on feedback from key stakeholders to directly address current


challenges and support our mission of giving everyone confi dence in home- grown energy. The journey to the redeveloped MCS


started in summer 2023 with an open consultation on how we could make the scheme clearer, fairer, and more transparent. With the documents now launched, we are currently in a transition period, preparing our stakeholders for the changes.


Record demand The redeveloped scheme comes at a time when renewable uptake in the UK is hitting record levels. This demand is only set to rise further as the government prepares for the Warm Homes Plan, which will upgrade existing homes with energy-effi cient measures, and also the Future Homes Standard, which will mandate solar panels and low carbon heating in new builds. As the volume of installations


increases, it is vital that consumers have access to quality installers and adequate protections. This is at the core of the redeveloped scheme. Under the redeveloped scheme,


installers must comply with the new Customer Commitment, which has been designed to safeguard consumers, in line with consumer protection laws. This document outlines how installers can support consumers who invest in home-grown energy to have the best possible experience, through committing to six core responsibilities: • Be trustworthy • Be responsible • Communicate well • Contract with clarity • Handover • Handle complaints well The Customer Commitment


also clearly outlines a consumer’s responsibility, providing assurance to both sides of the journey to ensure the smoothest process possible.


Centralising complaints A core principle of the redeveloped scheme is to build a new direct relationship between MCS and installers. This will allow us to work more closely with installers to understand and resolve customer complaints under a new centralised system, with MCS being the single point of contact. The aim of this new system is to allow


MCS greater oversight and facilitate transparency across the sector, as well as make the process less confusing for consumers.


Ian Rippin CEO at MCS


Clarity in assessments Considering feedback from the sector, the new MCS will reduce the focus on admin and excessive paperwork. Rather than assessing back-offi ce systems, we will prioritise the ‘delivered quality’ of each installation. Ongoing compliance will be monitored


by Certifi cation Bodies through assessments, with the frequency of assessments determined using the new Quality Risk Model. This process aims to reward installers who consistently deliver compliant installations, or whose operations are relatively simple, with less assessments. Those who are fl agged as delivering poor service, or with more complex operations, will be required to undertake more frequent on-site assessments.


Streamlining standards All MCS standards are created by industry, for industry, through engagement across our nine Working Groups and open consultations. Our installation standards are changing in structure and content, but the technical requirements within aren’t changing.


Next steps MCS is currently working closely with our Certifi cation Bodies to support them in gaining UKAS accreditation to off er the redeveloped scheme to their installers. Because of this, the timeline is dependent on UKAS, but we are expecting a rolling transition from this year and into 2026. In the meantime, installers should


ensure they are familiar with the new scheme documents and have the necessary processes and systems in place to transition when they receive confi rmation from their Certifi cation Body.


Find out more For more information on the redeveloped MCS, please visit: www. mcscertifi ed.com/redeveloped-installer-scheme


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