NATIONAL - Not‑for‑Profits Cleaner Safer Group and BCTA Join Forces
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9 March 2026, UK: HETAS’ and Woodsure's parent organisation Cleaner Safer Group (CSG) has announced its formal merger with the Building Compliance Testers Association (BCTA), uniting five respected certification and compliance schemes under a single governance structure.
The merger which took place earlier this month brings together complementary expertise spanning solid fuel, biomass, wood fuel quality, air tightness, sound insulation, and domestic ventilation commissioning, and significantly expands CSG's reach across the built environment sector.
BCTA is the parent organisation of ATTMA (Air Tightness Testing & Measurement Association), SITMA (Sound Insulation Testing & Measurement Association), and The Building Performance Hub - a specialist training and audit centre in High Wycombe.
Cleaner Safer Group was established with a clear strategic purpose, to diversify into adjacent areas of the built environment, renewables, and energy efficiency. The merger with BCTA represents a significant step in that direction – combining organisations with aligned values, similar operational models, and complementary expertise.
Together, the group will operate certification schemes at a combined scale, effectively doubling the group's footprint. ATTMA additionally operates internationally, running certification schemes in Australia, New Zealand, and the Middle East, and delivering training in the USA, extending CSG's reach beyond the UK for the first time.
Barry Cope, CEO of Cleaner Safer Group, said: “We are proud to be joining forces in this way. Both organisations are driven by the same values – integrity, quality, and a genuine commitment to both their members and consumers. This merger reflects a shared mission, and I look forward to leading CSG through this exciting new chapter.”
Kaye Welfare, Chair of Cleaner Safer Group, added: “This is an exciting step forward for both organisations. By coming together, we can offer greater support, improved services, and a platform that benefits everyone – from existing registrants to the wider industry.”
As part of the merger, The Building Performance Hub in High Wycombe will take on a new role. Alongside its continued support for BCTA members, The Building Performance Hub will now work closely with HETAS, opening up new opportunities for research, trials, and the development of industry-leading training – which will then be rolled out across the network of HETAS Approved Training Centres already operating across the UK. These centres are central to ensuring that installers are competently trained and properly equipped – keeping homes warm, safe, and compliant.
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Assets to support this announcement, including a copy of this press release, images and logos, can be found here.
· Supporting images
· Headshot of Barry Cope, CEO of Cleaner Safer Group
· Headshot of Kaye Welfare, Chair of Cleaner Safer Group
· A copy of this press release
· Logos
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About Cleaner Safer Group
Tewkesbury-based Cleaner Safer Group (CSG) is a not-for-profit organisation operating across the built environment, with the mission of working together for a cleaner, safer, more sustainable environment. CSG offers a range of services, from business consultancy, testing facilities, training, contract management and certification schemes.
Not-for-profit organisations HETAS and Woodsure – also based in Tewkesbury - operate their own specialist certification schemes, as well as running contracted schemes on behalf of government. This includes the certification scheme for wood and manufactured solid fuels, the Biomass Suppliers List, the HETAS Cleaner Choice Scheme for appliances, and smoke control exemption for appliances.
Also operating under the CSG umbrella, the Building Compliance Testers Association (BCTA) encompasses ATTMA (Air Tightness Testing & Measurement Association), SITMA (Sound Insulation Testing & Measurement Association), and The Building Performance Hub. BCTA's schemes set and uphold standards in air tightness testing, sound insulation testing, and domestic ventilation commissioning across the built environment, with ATTMA also operating internationally across Australia, New Zealand, and the Middle East.
About HETAS
HETAS is an independent not-for-profit organisation promoting cleaner and safer choices to trade, retailers, and consumers, for the use of biomass and other solid fuels, appliances and associated technologies.
Working with local and national government, industry experts and innovators, HETAS provides expert advice, training and clear evidence-based information to businesses, consumers and regulators. HETAS prides itself on investing surplus funds into business areas that directly contribute to safely reducing particulate and carbon emissions for the benefit of the people and the environment.
For more information on HETAS, visit hetas.co.uk.
About Woodsure
The UK’s only wood fuel quality assurance scheme, Woodsure – a not-for-profit organisation - administers the ‘Ready to Burn’ certification scheme on behalf of Defra, which shows that wood fuels are ready for immediate use under the Air Quality (Domestic Solid Fuels Standards) (England) Regulations. The organisation also managers the Biomass Supplier List on behalf of DESNZ.
The Woodsure scheme works closely with producers and suppliers to achieve the highest standards of wood fuel production throughout the UK. In addition to testing and assessment, Woodsure also provide technical and regulatory support, keeping the industry up to date on standards.
Woodsure is part of Cleaner Safer Group, an independent, not-for-profit organisation which works to promote the highest standards for fuel, appliance and people to encourage the safe, efficient and environmentally responsible use of solid fuels including wood.
For more information on Woodsure, visit woodsure.co.uk.
About ATTMA
ATTMA (Air Tightness Testing & Measurement Association) is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to setting and upholding standards in air tightness testing across the built environment. It provides certification for air tightness testers and testing organisations, ensuring compliance with building regulations and promoting energy efficiency in buildings.
ATTMA operates both in the UK and internationally – including Australia, New Zealand, and the Middle East – and is approved by the governments of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The organisation supports its members through rigorous certification, annual audits, CPD training, and access to its bespoke Lodgement Portal, which ensures consistent, compliant reporting.
For more information on ATTMA, visit https://www.bcta.group/attma/
About SITMA
SITMA (Sound Insulation Testing & Measurement Association) is the UK’s dedicated not-for-profit body for sound insulation testing. It exists to uphold acoustic standards in buildings, helping ensure that homes and workplaces meet the requirements for comfort, privacy, and wellbeing.
SITMA certifies competent testers, provides technical guidance, and works closely with regulators and industry to improve acoustic performance across the built environment. Its work supports better living conditions by promoting best practice in sound insulation and compliance with building regulations.
For more information on SITMA, visit https://www.bcta.group/sitma/
About The Building Performance Hub
The Building Performance Hub is a specialist training and audit centre based in High Wycombe, operating under Cleaner Safer Group. The Building Performance Hub provides expert training, research facilities, and technical support for professionals working in the built environment.
Its mission is to upskill the industry through practical, real-world training – with a focus on air the built environment. The Building Performance Hub delivers its own accredited courses and also partners with awarding bodies and external training providers, offering a flexible, high-quality environment for industry learning.
For more information on the Building Performance Hub, visit https://www.bcta.group/tbph/
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Editors notes
Cleaner Safer Group is a company limited by guarantee without share capital, and has a purpose of working together for a cleaner, safer, more sustainable environment.
The group is made up of HETAS and Woodsure, with both organisations specialising in certification schemes in the solid fuel and biomass sector.
Both organisations operate their own specialist certification schemes and run contracted schemes on behalf of government, including the Ready to Burn certification schemes for wood and manufactured solid fuels, the Biomass Suppliers List and smoke control exemption for appliances.
