Certification - MCERTS for UK Particulate Matter
UK Approval of Particulate Matter Monitoring Instruments
In order for an PM10 or PM2.5 instrument to be used for ambient air quality reporting purposes in the UK it either needs to be the European Reference Method or to have been proven equivalent to the European Reference Method. The responsibility for declaring instruments equivalent for use in the UK lies with the competent authority. Since 2012, instruments have been certified according to a specified process, which was modified for instruments certified since 2020. Those instruments certified since 2012 are summarised on the following website from which additional information on each can be downloaded. Should approval be required for an instrument in the UK, application can be made by contacting CSA.
The current list of instruments approved in the UK is as follows. The Table is in alphabetical order and no order of perceived approval can be inferred. As new instruments are approved, the list will be amended.
| Manufacturer and Instrument Name | Size Fraction | Correction required |
|---|---|---|
| European Reference Method European Reference Method as manufactured by multiple manufacturers in compliance with EN12341:2014 | PM10 |
None required |
| European Reference Method European Reference Method as manufactured by multiple manufacturers in compliance with EN12341:2014 | PM2.5 |
None required |
| FAI SWAM 5a 1 Hour Dual Channel |
PM10 & PM2.5 in the same instrument |
None required |
| FAI SWAM 5a 24 Hour Dual Channel | PM10 & PM2.5 in the same instrument | None required |
| FAI SWAM 5a 24 Hour Single Channel | PM10 |
None required |
| FAI SWAM 5a 24 Hour Single Channel | PM2.5 |
None required |
| Met One Smart Heated BAM 1020 |
PM10 | Divide by 1.035 |
| Met One Smart Heated BAM 1020 |
PM2.5 | None required |
| Met One Unheated BAM 1020 |
PM10 | Multiply by 0.833 |
| Opsis SM200 |
PM10 |
None required when taking the real time beta attenuation results. If filter masses are reported, then correct by first subtracting 1.286, then divide by 0.819. |
| Palas Fidas 200, 200E or 200S operating with algorithm Method 11' |
PM10 & PM2.5 in the same instrument |
None required for PM10. Divide by 1.06 for PM2.5 |
| Thermo Fisher FDMS 1405DF |
PM10 & PM2.5 | None required |
| Thermo Fisher FDMS 1405F |
PM10 | None required |
| Thermo Fisher FDMS 1405F |
PM2.5 | None required |
| Thermo Fisher FDMS 8500 B, C or CB |
PM10 | None required |
| Thermo Fisher FDMS 8500 B, C or CB |
PM2.5 | None required |
| Thermo Fisher Partisol 2025 A, B or i |
PM10 | None required |
| Thermo Fisher Partisol 2025 A, B or i |
PM2.5 | None required |
The Thermo Fisher PM10 TEOM 1400AB has been removed from this list as the analyser failed demonstration of equivalence even with linear correction for slope and intercept. It is possible to correct data using the Volatile Correction Model (VCM). However, this model relies upon measurements of volatile PM10 concentrations made by PM10 FDMS 8500 instruments and these are no longer widespread in the UK.