Stack Testing Methods & Standards UK

Updated 23 July 2026

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UK MCERTS stack emissions testing uses BS EN reference methods (13284-1 particulates, 14791 SO₂, 14792 NOx, 14385 metals, 1948 dioxins, 12619 TOC) plus EA M-series guidance and EN 14181 for CEMS QAL2/AST. Only methods on Alkali's current UKAS schedule (Lab 24303) are used for accredited reporting.

How to read this reference

Stack emissions testing methods are defined by the pollutant, the plant type and the permit. UK regulators expect MCERTS-accredited providers to use the reference BS EN method wherever one exists, and to use EA M-series technical guidance to interpret it in a UK permit context. The table below sets out the reference methods Alkali uses under UKAS Laboratory No. 24303. Before commissioning any testing, check that the provider's UKAS schedule of accreditation covers your specific parameters — a generic 'MCERTS accredited' statement is not the same as a pollutant being on the accredited scope.

UK stack emissions testing reference table

Determinand	Standard method	Typical equipment	Isokinetic?	Lab analysis?	Common UK sectors
Particulate matter (dust)	BS EN 13284-1	Heated isokinetic sampling train, in-stack filter	Yes	Yes — gravimetric	EfW, biomass, cement, manufacturing
NOx (NO + NO₂)	BS EN 14792	Chemiluminescence analyser (MCERTS-certified)	No	No	MCP, CHP, boilers, EfW
SO₂	BS EN 14791	Wet chemistry sampling train or MCERTS analyser	No	Sometimes (H₂O₂ absorption)	Combustion, IED installations
CO	BS EN 15058	NDIR analyser (MCERTS-certified)	No	No	All combustion plant
O₂	BS EN 14789	Paramagnetic or zirconia analyser	No	No	All permit-normalised reporting
Total VOC / TOC	BS EN 12619	Heated FID analyser	No	No	Coating, printing, solvents, EfW
Speciated VOCs / multi-gas	US EPA 320 / BS EN 15267 with FTIR	Portable FTIR analyser	No	Optional cross-check	Chemicals, pharma, crematoria, EfW
HCl	BS EN 1911	Wet chemistry train or FTIR	No	Yes (IC)	EfW, hazardous waste
HF	ISO 15713	Wet chemistry train or FTIR	No	Yes (ISE / IC)	EfW, glass, minerals
NH₃	EA M-series (FTIR)	Portable FTIR analyser	No	Optional	SCR abatement, waste
Metals (Sb, As, Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Pb, Mn, Ni, V)	BS EN 14385	Isokinetic sampling with impinger train	Yes	Yes — ICP-MS	EfW, industrial processes
Mercury (Hg)	BS EN 13211 / EN 14884 (CEMS)	Isokinetic KMnO₄ train / mercury analyser	Yes	Yes — CVAFS/CVAAS	EfW, crematoria (PG5/2(25)), coal
Dioxins / furans (PCDD/F)	BS EN 1948-1 to -3	Isokinetic long-duration sampling	Yes	Yes — HRGC/HRMS	EfW, hazardous waste, crematoria
Flow / velocity	BS EN ISO 16911-1	Pitot tube (S-type or L-type)	No	No	All accredited testing
Moisture	BS EN 14790	Condensation train / weighed impingers	No	No	All permit-normalised reporting
Sample location suitability	BS EN 15259	Pre-test survey, homogeneity check	N/A	No	All UK stack testing
CEMS QAL2 / AST	BS EN 14181	Parallel reference measurements	Method-dependent	Method-dependent	All IED CEMS installations

Table current as of July 2026. Only parameters on Alkali's current UKAS schedule (Lab 24303) are used for accredited reporting; verify scope at ukas.com.

EA guidance and regulatory context

In addition to the BS EN reference methods above, UK stack emissions testing is delivered against the Environment Agency's M-series technical guidance notes (M1, M2, M3, M5, M8, M17, M20, M21, M23) and MCERTS Performance Standards for stack emissions monitoring organisations. Accredited providers must operate under ISO/IEC 17025 and demonstrate MCERTS personnel competence (Level 1 and Level 2 certification). For continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS), BS EN 14181 governs QAL1 (instrument certification), QAL2 (parallel calibration), QAL3 (drift control) and the annual surveillance test (AST).

How to check a provider's method scope

Ask for the provider's UKAS Laboratory Number and check it on ukas.com
Cross-reference each permit determinand against their Schedule of Accreditation
Confirm sample location suitability under BS EN 15259 before booking
Ask for MCERTS personnel certificate numbers of the technicians attending site
For CEMS work, confirm they hold EN 14181 QAL2 / AST on scope, not just periodic testing

Get a scope check under Alkali's UKAS accreditation

Send us your permit or monitoring schedule and we'll return a method-by-method scope check against Alkali's current UKAS accredited scope (Lab 24303) — free, within 24 working hours. Start with our online stack testing quote or read our guide to choosing a UK stack testing company.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between UKAS and MCERTS accreditation?

UKAS accredits laboratories against ISO/IEC 17025 for technical competence. MCERTS is the Environment Agency's certification scheme built on top — MCERTS Performance Standards for equipment, methods and personnel apply specifically to environmental monitoring. A UK stack testing provider needs both: UKAS accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025 with the MCERTS stack methods on scope.

Which stack testing methods require isokinetic sampling?

Particulate matter (BS EN 13284-1), metals (BS EN 14385), mercury (BS EN 13211), and dioxins/furans (BS EN 1948) all require isokinetic sampling — the sample is drawn from the stack at the same velocity as the flue gas to avoid over- or under-representing particle-bound pollutants.

Is FTIR MCERTS-approved for UK stack testing?

Yes — MCERTS-certified portable FTIR analysers are widely accepted by the Environment Agency for multi-component gas measurement (NOx, SO₂, CO, HCl, HF, NH₃, N₂O, formaldehyde, speciated VOCs). Applicability depends on the permit and cross-checked reference methods; check the provider's UKAS scope.

What does EN 14181 cover?

BS EN 14181 defines quality assurance for continuous emissions monitoring systems (CEMS/AMS) installed under the Industrial Emissions Directive: QAL1 (instrument type-approval), QAL2 (parallel calibration against a reference method), QAL3 (ongoing drift control by the operator) and AST (annual surveillance test by a UKAS-accredited body).

Do I need EN 15259 sample-point compliance?

Yes. BS EN 15259 sets the sample-location, port and homogeneity requirements for representative stack testing. Non-compliant sample points can invalidate otherwise good results. Alkali offers a free EN 15259 pre-assessment before mobilisation.

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Services that often include Stack Testing Methods & Standards UK:

MCERTS Stack Emissions Testing UK | UKAS Lab 24303

Case Studies

Stack Testing Methods & Standards UK in action

See how UK clients have used our stack testing methods & standards uk expertise to satisfy regulators, planning authorities, and operational deadlines.

Industrial / ManufacturingUnited Kingdom

Case Study: Relocating a Stack Emissions Sample Point to Eliminate Work at Height and Improve Flow Conditions

Problem: Alkali Environmental took over a biannual MCERTS stack emissions monitoring contract from a previous test house. The site operates under an Environment Agency environmental permit that requires periodic isokinetic stack emissions testing at multiple sample locations across the process. On reviewing the existing monitoring arrangements, our UKAS-accredited stack testing team flagged two problems with one of the inherited sample points that were quietly costing the operator money and increasing health-and-safety risk every visit.
Approach: Our stack testing team carried out a sample point design review on the wider process duct system to identify an equivalent monitoring location that would give the same regulatory evidence without the work-at-height burden. We then recommended a relocated sample point in writing for the operator's engineering team.

Read case study

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