Small-scale technology unit installers and designers

Installers and dMRV designers must meet certain requirements for their systems to be eligible for small-scale technology certificates (STCs).

Do your due diligence

When entering a commercial arrangement, you should do your due diligence and ensure clear contracts are in place. This can prevent contractual disputes and protect your commercial position.

Before installation

You must hold a Special Operation Certificate authorising the performance of the relevant activities.

Compliance with local requirements

You must, at all times, comply with all country and regional installation requirements applicable to the system.

System components

You must ensure that all devices, equipment , and installed components forming part of the system are included on the approved products list maintained by the Technical Governance Committee.

It is imperative that the facilities be designed in accordance with the specifications outlined in the Biomass Energy (Biochar Production Systems) Standard 2025.

During installation

From 1 January 2026 you’ll be required to take clear, geotagged and timestamped photographs of critical labelling and signage for each waste treatment facility or unit installation.

When installing a system, you must:

● comply with the installation requirements of your accreditation scheme

● comply with all local or devolved government installation requirements

● use an approved facilities

● use an approved metering equipment

● install the dMRV system following the design of the method

● meet on-site attendance requirements.

On-site attendance

There are requirements that apply to installers being on-site during installation. 

You must:

● complete or supervise the installation

● attend the site for:

- job setup

- mid-installation check-up

- testing and commissioning

● take photos of yourself on site.

Make sure you understand the small-scale technology unit installation requirements.

Photographic evidence

You must have evidence to prove you were on site for the 3 stages of installation. The easiest way is through photos.

Your photos should:

● clearly show your face

● show the 3 stages of installation, for example:

- a house number or facility of the property for setup.

- the installed system for testing and commissioning.

- the generation of biochar form waste biomass.

● include date and time metadata and geolocation

● match the time and dates of compliance paperwork like certificates and forms.

The evidence metadata needs to match the installation time from start to finish. You need to explain if your installation took more or less time than expected under normal conditions.

You are not allowed to return to the site after installation to take photos or falsify documents to match photos taken after installation.

We may fail an STC application if your evidence doesn't show the 3 stages of installation.

Multiple installers

There can be multiple installers on an installation if:

● multiple installers are needed throughout

● an installer can't complete the whole installation

● the job is handed over from one installer to another.

Before the installation, you must notify us of:

● details of the installation

● details of each installer

● a rationale for the change of installer.

Each installer must:

● have the Special Operations Certificate (if applicable).

Each installer must provide photo evidence of their attendance on site if requested. We need a minimum of 3 photos total, one for each stage. This may be split between 2 installers or one photo each for 3 installers depending on the arrangement. You can submit more if you have them. Registered agents will collect evidence from all installers involved.

We assess the eligibility of each system on a case-by-case basis. This includes cases where providing information wasn't practical or possible before installation.

Complete installations 

A waste treatment facility or unit must be complete, and biochar must be produced, before STCs may be created.

Complete installation requirements:

● correct mounting/connecting of metering equipment and required parts

● complete metering equipment for data acquisition

● complete between the Metering equipment data and dMRV systems.

● upload captured data for block-chained storage.

The testing and commissioning date on the certificate of compliance will prove the data acquisition capabilities.

After installation

The installer who completes the testing and commission stage must:

● ensure the installation complies with all relevant standards

● obtain and complete a certificate of biochar production systems safety/compliance

● sign the written compliance statement

● list their name as the installer on the STC application form.

The installer listed on the STC application form is responsible for responding to any inspection findings.

The creator of STCs (registered agent or system owner) will get the written compliance statement from you.

Liquidated damages shall apply if false or misleading information is provided in any statements.

Written compliance statement

The installer and dMRV designer must provide a written compliance statement confirming:

● they've met all accredited design and installation requirements

● they've met all local or devolved government requirements

● a licensed completed the work and provided their accreditation details

● they've met on-site attendance requirements and provided evidence

● they used approved facilities and metering equipment modules in the installation.

You can use our example installer and dMRV designer written statement as a guide.

The installer and designer must provide a written compliance statement confirming they have:

● met all accreditation design and installation requirements

● met all local, state and territory requirements

● a copy of the design, and the system installed met or modified the design to meet the accreditation requirements

● had a licensed electrician complete the work and provide their accreditation details

● met on-site attendance requirements and provided evidence

● have its component listed on the approved product list.

You can use our example designer and installer written statement as a guide.

Installers and retailers must also follow:

● consumer law

● program conduct guidelines

● warranty standards

Written statements must be true and correct and not contain false or misleading information. Non-compliance may result in the removal of a product or installer from the program, loss of electrical licence, and civil or criminal prosecution.

Written statement and documentation

We collect information about storage systems installed with waste treatment facilities or units. This allows us to monitor for compliance, including through data matching.

If scheme requirements are not met and false or misleading information has been provided, we can take compliance action. Read more about our compliance approach.

Information we collect