The glazing and home improvement industry is entering a new phase of leadership and accountability as the updated Mandatory Technical Competence (MTC) framework begins its rollout, and Certass has been instrumental in shaping it from the start.
As the primary authors of both the current and previous MTC frameworks, the Certass technical team has worked closely with government and industry partners to modernise how competence is defined, assessed, and maintained. The move from Minimum to Mandatory represents a cultural shift toward verified, behaviour-based professionalism rather than box-ticking.
Jon Vanstone, Chair of Certass and the National Home Improvement Council (NHIC), explained:
“This is about raising the bar in a way that supports real people doing real work. The new MTC ensures that competence is not just about what you know or what you can do, but how you apply that knowledge in practice. It sets a higher standard for accountability and trust across our sector, helping show consumers to distinguish good from bad.”
The revised framework introduces separate criteria for domestic, non-domestic, and high-risk buildings, providing clarity across different working environments. It also integrates behavioural expectations drawn from the BS 8670 standard to ensure ethical, quality-focused working is recognised as an essential part of competence.
Certass has already been assessing against the principles of the new domestic MTC criteria for over two years, giving its members a head start on compliance. The organisation will expand assessments through its Learning Management System (LMS) in early 2026, offering tailored modules for non-domestic and higher-risk projects.
“This evolution has been a long time coming,” added Vanstone. “For too long, competence has been reduced to paperwork, often favouring large organisations over skilled tradespeople. The new framework turns it into a living standard, one that reflects how good businesses really operate.”
Through its direct involvement in shaping regulation and its commitment to clear, practical guidance, Certass continues to position its members ahead of the curve, giving them confidence and credibility in a rapidly changing market.
As part of this commitment, Certass is also calling for a return to integrity in how Building Regulations Compliance Certificates are presented to consumers.
“When a homeowner receives a Compliance Certificate, it should mean something,” said Vanstone. “It should be assurance that the installer has been properly assessed as competent delivering you a compliant installation with all parts of the regulations, rather than just a branded document used to push marketing agendas.”
He added: “A certificate is not a badge of corporate identity. It’s a legal document. At Certass, we’re ensuring that every certificate issued is underpinned by real competence, not just box-ticking or brand reach.”
By aligning certificates with rigorous, behaviour-based assessments, Certass is working to restore consumer confidence and raise the bar across the industry by making it clear that compliance is about regulation and standards, not someone else’s logo.
For more information, visit www.certass.co.uk.
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