diff --git a/substrate/Cargo.lock b/substrate/Cargo.lock
index b42da79f88..1fd3c18534 100644
--- a/substrate/Cargo.lock
+++ b/substrate/Cargo.lock
@@ -4869,6 +4869,7 @@ dependencies = [
 name = "substrate-consensus-babe"
 version = "2.0.0"
 dependencies = [
+ "derive_more 0.15.0 (registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index)",
  "env_logger 0.7.0 (registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index)",
  "fork-tree 2.0.0",
  "futures 0.1.29 (registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index)",
@@ -4945,6 +4946,7 @@ dependencies = [
 name = "substrate-consensus-pow"
 version = "2.0.0"
 dependencies = [
+ "derive_more 0.15.0 (registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index)",
  "futures-preview 0.3.0-alpha.19 (registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index)",
  "log 0.4.8 (registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index)",
  "parity-scale-codec 1.0.6 (registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index)",
diff --git a/substrate/core/consensus/babe/Cargo.toml b/substrate/core/consensus/babe/Cargo.toml
index b1c2c31f7d..30b7c1f8d6 100644
--- a/substrate/core/consensus/babe/Cargo.toml
+++ b/substrate/core/consensus/babe/Cargo.toml
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ schnorrkel = { version = "0.8.5", features = ["preaudit_deprecated"] }
 rand = "0.7.2"
 merlin = "1.2.1"
 pdqselect = "0.1.0"
+derive_more = "0.15.0"
 
 [dev-dependencies]
 keyring = { package = "substrate-keyring", path = "../../keyring" }
diff --git a/substrate/core/consensus/babe/src/lib.rs b/substrate/core/consensus/babe/src/lib.rs
index 0eacf1407e..287b26a300 100644
--- a/substrate/core/consensus/babe/src/lib.rs
+++ b/substrate/core/consensus/babe/src/lib.rs
@@ -66,7 +66,7 @@ use consensus_common::ImportResult;
 use consensus_common::import_queue::{
 	BoxJustificationImport, BoxFinalityProofImport,
 };
-use sr_primitives::{generic::{BlockId, OpaqueDigestItemId}, Justification};
+use sr_primitives::{generic::{BlockId, OpaqueDigestItemId}, Justification, RuntimeString};
 use sr_primitives::traits::{
 	Block as BlockT, Header, DigestItemFor, ProvideRuntimeApi,
 	Zero,
@@ -102,6 +102,7 @@ use log::{warn, debug, info, trace};
 use slots::{SlotWorker, SlotData, SlotInfo, SlotCompatible};
 use epoch_changes::descendent_query;
 use header_metadata::HeaderMetadata;
+use schnorrkel::SignatureError;
 
 mod aux_schema;
 mod verification;
@@ -114,13 +115,71 @@ pub use babe_primitives::{
 };
 pub use epoch_changes::{EpochChanges, EpochChangesFor, SharedEpochChanges};
 
-macro_rules! babe_err {
-	($($i: expr),+) => {
-		{
-			debug!(target: "babe", $($i),+);
-			format!($($i),+)
-		}
-	};
+
+#[derive(derive_more::Display, Debug)]
+enum Error<B: BlockT> {
+	#[display(fmt = "Multiple BABE pre-runtime digests, rejecting!")]
+	MultiplePreRuntimeDigests,
+	#[display(fmt = "No BABE pre-runtime digest found")]
+	NoPreRuntimeDigest,
+	#[display(fmt = "Multiple BABE epoch change digests, rejecting!")]
+	MultipleEpochChangeDigests,
+	#[display(fmt = "Could not extract timestamp and slot: {:?}", _0)]
+	Extraction(consensus_common::Error),
+	#[display(fmt = "Could not fetch epoch at {:?}", _0)]
+	FetchEpoch(B::Hash),
+	#[display(fmt = "Header {:?} rejected: too far in the future", _0)]
+	TooFarInFuture(B::Hash),
+	#[display(fmt = "Parent ({}) of {} unavailable. Cannot import", _0, _1)]
+	ParentUnavailable(B::Hash, B::Hash),
+	#[display(fmt = "Slot number must increase: parent slot: {}, this slot: {}", _0, _1)]
+	SlotNumberMustIncrease(u64, u64),
+	#[display(fmt = "Header {:?} has a bad seal", _0)]
+	HeaderBadSeal(B::Hash),
+	#[display(fmt = "Header {:?} is unsealed", _0)]
+	HeaderUnsealed(B::Hash),
+	#[display(fmt = "Slot author not found")]
+	SlotAuthorNotFound,
+	#[display(fmt = "Secondary slot assignments are disabled for the current epoch.")]
+	SecondarySlotAssignmentsDisabled,
+	#[display(fmt = "Bad signature on {:?}", _0)]
+	BadSignature(B::Hash),
+	#[display(fmt = "Invalid author: Expected secondary author: {:?}, got: {:?}.", _0, _1)]
+	InvalidAuthor(AuthorityId, AuthorityId),
+	#[display(fmt = "No secondary author expected.")]
+	NoSecondaryAuthorExpected,
+	#[display(fmt = "VRF verification of block by author {:?} failed: threshold {} exceeded", _0, _1)]
+	VRFVerificationOfBlockFailed(AuthorityId, u128),
+	#[display(fmt = "VRF verification failed: {:?}", _0)]
+	VRFVerificationFailed(SignatureError),
+	#[display(fmt = "Could not fetch parent header: {:?}", _0)]
+	FetchParentHeader(client::error::Error),
+	#[display(fmt = "Expected epoch change to happen at {:?}, s{}", _0, _1)]
+	ExpectedEpochChange(B::Hash, u64),
+	#[display(fmt = "Could not look up epoch: {:?}", _0)]
+	CouldNotLookUpEpoch(Box<fork_tree::Error<client::error::Error>>),
+	#[display(fmt = "Block {} is not valid under any epoch.", _0)]
+	BlockNotValid(B::Hash),
+	#[display(fmt = "Unexpected epoch change")]
+	UnexpectedEpochChange,
+	#[display(fmt = "Parent block of {} has no associated weight", _0)]
+	ParentBlockNoAssociatedWeight(B::Hash),
+	#[display(fmt = "Checking inherents failed: {}", _0)]
+	CheckInherents(String),
+	Client(client::error::Error),
+	Runtime(RuntimeString),
+	ForkTree(Box<fork_tree::Error<client::error::Error>>),
+}
+
+impl<B: BlockT> std::convert::From<Error<B>> for String {
+	fn from(error: Error<B>) -> String {
+		error.to_string()
+	}
+}
+
+fn babe_err<B: BlockT>(error: Error<B>) -> Error<B> {
+	debug!(target: "babe", "{}", error);
+	error
 }
 
 macro_rules! babe_info {
@@ -385,7 +444,7 @@ impl<B, C, E, I, Error, SO> slots::SimpleSlotWorker<B> for BabeWorker<B, C, E, I
 
 	fn proposer(&mut self, block: &B::Header) -> Result<Self::Proposer, consensus_common::Error> {
 		self.env.init(block).map_err(|e| {
-			consensus_common::Error::ClientImport(format!("{:?}", e)).into()
+			consensus_common::Error::ClientImport(format!("{:?}", e))
 		})
 	}
 }
@@ -410,7 +469,7 @@ impl<B, C, E, I, Error, SO> SlotWorker<B> for BabeWorker<B, C, E, I, SO> where
 
 /// Extract the BABE pre digest from the given header. Pre-runtime digests are
 /// mandatory, the function will return `Err` if none is found.
-fn find_pre_digest<H: Header>(header: &H) -> Result<BabePreDigest, String>
+fn find_pre_digest<B: BlockT>(header: &B::Header) -> Result<BabePreDigest, Error<B>>
 {
 	// genesis block doesn't contain a pre digest so let's generate a
 	// dummy one to not break any invariants in the rest of the code
@@ -425,17 +484,17 @@ fn find_pre_digest<H: Header>(header: &H) -> Result<BabePreDigest, String>
 	for log in header.digest().logs() {
 		trace!(target: "babe", "Checking log {:?}, looking for pre runtime digest", log);
 		match (log.as_babe_pre_digest(), pre_digest.is_some()) {
-			(Some(_), true) => Err(babe_err!("Multiple BABE pre-runtime digests, rejecting!"))?,
+			(Some(_), true) => return Err(babe_err(Error::MultiplePreRuntimeDigests)),
 			(None, _) => trace!(target: "babe", "Ignoring digest not meant for us"),
 			(s, false) => pre_digest = s,
 		}
 	}
-	pre_digest.ok_or_else(|| babe_err!("No BABE pre-runtime digest found"))
+	pre_digest.ok_or_else(|| babe_err(Error::NoPreRuntimeDigest))
 }
 
 /// Extract the BABE epoch change digest from the given header, if it exists.
 fn find_next_epoch_digest<B: BlockT>(header: &B::Header)
-	-> Result<Option<NextEpochDescriptor>, String>
+	-> Result<Option<NextEpochDescriptor>, Error<B>>
 	where DigestItemFor<B>: CompatibleDigestItem,
 {
 	let mut epoch_digest: Option<_> = None;
@@ -443,7 +502,7 @@ fn find_next_epoch_digest<B: BlockT>(header: &B::Header)
 		trace!(target: "babe", "Checking log {:?}, looking for epoch change digest.", log);
 		let log = log.try_to::<ConsensusLog>(OpaqueDigestItemId::Consensus(&BABE_ENGINE_ID));
 		match (log, epoch_digest.is_some()) {
-			(Some(ConsensusLog::NextEpochData(_)), true) => Err(babe_err!("Multiple BABE epoch change digests, rejecting!"))?,
+			(Some(ConsensusLog::NextEpochData(_)), true) => return Err(babe_err(Error::MultipleEpochChangeDigests)),
 			(Some(ConsensusLog::NextEpochData(epoch)), false) => epoch_digest = Some(epoch),
 			_ => trace!(target: "babe", "Ignoring digest not meant for us"),
 		}
@@ -493,20 +552,20 @@ impl<B, E, Block: BlockT, RA, PRA> BabeVerifier<B, E, Block, RA, PRA> {
 		block: Block,
 		block_id: BlockId<Block>,
 		inherent_data: InherentData,
-	) -> Result<(), String>
+	) -> Result<(), Error<Block>>
 		where PRA: ProvideRuntimeApi, PRA::Api: BlockBuilderApi<Block>
 	{
 		let inherent_res = self.api.runtime_api().check_inherents(
 			&block_id,
 			block,
 			inherent_data,
-		).map_err(|e| format!("{:?}", e))?;
+		).map_err(Error::Client)?;
 
 		if !inherent_res.ok() {
 			inherent_res
 				.into_errors()
 				.try_for_each(|(i, e)| {
-					Err(self.inherent_data_providers.error_to_string(&i, &e))
+					Err(Error::CheckInherents(self.inherent_data_providers.error_to_string(&i, &e)))
 				})
 		} else {
 			Ok(())
@@ -585,18 +644,18 @@ impl<B, E, Block, RA, PRA> Verifier<Block> for BabeVerifier<B, E, Block, RA, PRA
 		let mut inherent_data = self
 			.inherent_data_providers
 			.create_inherent_data()
-			.map_err(String::from)?;
+			.map_err( Error::<Block>::Runtime)?;
 
 		let (_, slot_now, _) = self.time_source.extract_timestamp_and_slot(&inherent_data)
-			.map_err(|e| format!("Could not extract timestamp and slot: {:?}", e))?;
+			.map_err(Error::<Block>::Extraction)?;
 
 		let hash = header.hash();
 		let parent_hash = *header.parent_hash();
 
 		let parent_header_metadata = self.client.header_metadata(parent_hash)
-			.map_err(|e| format!("Could not fetch parent header: {:?}", e))?;
+			.map_err(Error::<Block>::FetchParentHeader)?;
 
-		let pre_digest = find_pre_digest::<Block::Header>(&header)?;
+		let pre_digest = find_pre_digest::<Block>(&header)?;
 		let epoch = {
 			let epoch_changes = self.epoch_changes.lock();
 			epoch_changes.epoch_for_child_of(
@@ -606,8 +665,8 @@ impl<B, E, Block, RA, PRA> Verifier<Block> for BabeVerifier<B, E, Block, RA, PRA
 				pre_digest.slot_number(),
 				|slot| self.config.genesis_epoch(slot),
 			)
-				.map_err(|e| format!("{:?}", e))?
-				.ok_or_else(|| format!("Could not fetch epoch at {:?}", parent_hash))?
+				.map_err(|e| Error::<Block>::ForkTree(Box::new(e)))?
+				.ok_or_else(|| Error::<Block>::FetchEpoch(parent_hash))?
 		};
 
 		// We add one to the current slot to allow for some small drift.
@@ -691,7 +750,7 @@ impl<B, E, Block, RA, PRA> Verifier<Block> for BabeVerifier<B, E, Block, RA, PRA
 				telemetry!(CONSENSUS_DEBUG; "babe.header_too_far_in_future";
 					"hash" => ?hash, "a" => ?a, "b" => ?b
 				);
-				Err(format!("Header {:?} rejected: too far in the future", hash))
+				Err(Error::<Block>::TooFarInFuture(hash).into())
 			}
 		}
 	}
@@ -787,10 +846,10 @@ impl<B, E, Block, I, RA, PRA> BlockImport<Block> for BabeBlockImport<B, E, Block
 		match self.client.status(BlockId::Hash(hash)) {
 			Ok(blockchain::BlockStatus::InChain) => return Ok(ImportResult::AlreadyInChain),
 			Ok(blockchain::BlockStatus::Unknown) => {},
-			Err(e) => return Err(ConsensusError::ClientImport(e.to_string()).into()),
+			Err(e) => return Err(ConsensusError::ClientImport(e.to_string())),
 		}
 
-		let pre_digest = find_pre_digest::<Block::Header>(&block.header)
+		let pre_digest = find_pre_digest::<Block>(&block.header)
 			.expect("valid babe headers must contain a predigest; \
 					 header has been already verified; qed");
 		let slot_number = pre_digest.slot_number();
@@ -798,13 +857,11 @@ impl<B, E, Block, I, RA, PRA> BlockImport<Block> for BabeBlockImport<B, E, Block
 		let parent_hash = *block.header.parent_hash();
 		let parent_header = self.client.header(&BlockId::Hash(parent_hash))
 			.map_err(|e| ConsensusError::ChainLookup(e.to_string()))?
-			.ok_or_else(|| ConsensusError::ChainLookup(babe_err!(
-				"Parent ({}) of {} unavailable. Cannot import",
-				parent_hash,
-				hash
-			)))?;
+			.ok_or_else(|| ConsensusError::ChainLookup(babe_err(
+				Error::<Block>::ParentUnavailable(parent_hash, hash)
+			).into()))?;
 
-		let parent_slot = find_pre_digest::<Block::Header>(&parent_header)
+		let parent_slot = find_pre_digest::<Block>(&parent_header)
 			.map(|d| d.slot_number())
 			.expect("parent is non-genesis; valid BABE headers contain a pre-digest; \
 					header has already been verified; qed");
@@ -812,11 +869,9 @@ impl<B, E, Block, I, RA, PRA> BlockImport<Block> for BabeBlockImport<B, E, Block
 		// make sure that slot number is strictly increasing
 		if slot_number <= parent_slot {
 			return Err(
-				ConsensusError::ClientImport(babe_err!(
-					"Slot number must increase: parent slot: {}, this slot: {}",
-					parent_slot,
-					slot_number
-				))
+				ConsensusError::ClientImport(babe_err(
+					Error::<Block>::SlotNumberMustIncrease(parent_slot, slot_number)
+				).into())
 			);
 		}
 
@@ -834,7 +889,7 @@ impl<B, E, Block, I, RA, PRA> BlockImport<Block> for BabeBlockImport<B, E, Block
 				aux_schema::load_block_weight(&*self.client, parent_hash)
 					.map_err(|e| ConsensusError::ClientImport(e.to_string()))?
 					.ok_or_else(|| ConsensusError::ClientImport(
-						babe_err!("Parent block of {} has no associated weight", hash)
+						babe_err(Error::<Block>::ParentBlockNoAssociatedWeight(hash)).into()
 					))?
 			};
 
@@ -846,10 +901,10 @@ impl<B, E, Block, I, RA, PRA> BlockImport<Block> for BabeBlockImport<B, E, Block
 				|slot| self.config.genesis_epoch(slot),
 			)
 				.map_err(|e: fork_tree::Error<client::error::Error>| ConsensusError::ChainLookup(
-					babe_err!("Could not look up epoch: {:?}", e)
+					babe_err(Error::<Block>::CouldNotLookUpEpoch(Box::new(e))).into()
 				))?
 				.ok_or_else(|| ConsensusError::ClientImport(
-					babe_err!("Block {} is not valid under any epoch.", hash)
+					babe_err(Error::<Block>::BlockNotValid(hash)).into()
 				))?;
 
 			let first_in_epoch = parent_slot < epoch.as_ref().start_slot;
@@ -860,7 +915,7 @@ impl<B, E, Block, I, RA, PRA> BlockImport<Block> for BabeBlockImport<B, E, Block
 
 		// search for this all the time so we can reject unexpected announcements.
 		let next_epoch_digest = find_next_epoch_digest::<Block>(&block.header)
-			.map_err(|e| ConsensusError::from(ConsensusError::ClientImport(e.to_string())))?;
+			.map_err(|e| ConsensusError::ClientImport(e.to_string()))?;
 
 		match (first_in_epoch, next_epoch_digest.is_some()) {
 			(true, true) => {},
@@ -868,12 +923,12 @@ impl<B, E, Block, I, RA, PRA> BlockImport<Block> for BabeBlockImport<B, E, Block
 			(true, false) => {
 				return Err(
 					ConsensusError::ClientImport(
-						babe_err!("Expected epoch change to happen at {:?}, s{}", hash, slot_number),
+						babe_err(Error::<Block>::ExpectedEpochChange(hash, slot_number)).into(),
 					)
 				);
 			},
 			(false, true) => {
-				return Err(ConsensusError::ClientImport("Unexpected epoch change".into()));
+				return Err(ConsensusError::ClientImport(Error::<Block>::UnexpectedEpochChange.into()));
 			},
 		}
 
@@ -917,7 +972,7 @@ impl<B, E, Block, I, RA, PRA> BlockImport<Block> for BabeBlockImport<B, E, Block
 			};
 
 			if let Err(e) = prune_and_import() {
-				babe_err!("Failed to launch next epoch: {:?}", e);
+				debug!(target: "babe", "Failed to launch next epoch: {:?}", e);
 				*epoch_changes = old_epoch_changes.expect("set `Some` above and not taken; qed");
 				return Err(e);
 			}
@@ -1004,7 +1059,7 @@ fn prune_finalized<B, E, Block, RA>(
 			.expect("best finalized hash was given by client; \
 				 finalized headers must exist in db; qed");
 
-		find_pre_digest::<Block::Header>(&finalized_header)
+		find_pre_digest::<Block>(&finalized_header)
 			.expect("finalized header must be valid; \
 					 valid blocks have a pre-digest; qed")
 			.slot_number()
diff --git a/substrate/core/consensus/babe/src/tests.rs b/substrate/core/consensus/babe/src/tests.rs
index e6883977a0..2e236f190b 100644
--- a/substrate/core/consensus/babe/src/tests.rs
+++ b/substrate/core/consensus/babe/src/tests.rs
@@ -81,7 +81,7 @@ impl Environment<TestBlock> for DummyFactory {
 		-> Result<DummyProposer, Error>
 	{
 
-		let parent_slot = crate::find_pre_digest(parent_header)
+		let parent_slot = crate::find_pre_digest::<TestBlock>(parent_header)
 			.expect("parent header has a pre-digest")
 			.slot_number();
 
@@ -109,7 +109,7 @@ impl DummyProposer {
 			Err(e) => return future::ready(Err(e)),
 		};
 
-		let this_slot = crate::find_pre_digest(block.header())
+		let this_slot = crate::find_pre_digest::<TestBlock>(block.header())
 			.expect("baked block has valid pre-digest")
 			.slot_number();
 
@@ -535,7 +535,7 @@ fn propose_and_import_block(
 	let mut proposer = proposer_factory.init(parent).unwrap();
 
 	let slot_number = slot_number.unwrap_or_else(|| {
-		let parent_pre_digest = find_pre_digest(parent).unwrap();
+		let parent_pre_digest = find_pre_digest::<TestBlock>(parent).unwrap();
 		parent_pre_digest.slot_number() + 1
 	});
 
diff --git a/substrate/core/consensus/babe/src/verification.rs b/substrate/core/consensus/babe/src/verification.rs
index 05d6102450..36e34dfb95 100644
--- a/substrate/core/consensus/babe/src/verification.rs
+++ b/substrate/core/consensus/babe/src/verification.rs
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ use babe_primitives::{Epoch, BabePreDigest, CompatibleDigestItem, AuthorityId};
 use babe_primitives::{AuthoritySignature, SlotNumber, AuthorityIndex, AuthorityPair};
 use slots::CheckedHeader;
 use log::{debug, trace};
-use super::{find_pre_digest, BlockT};
+use super::{find_pre_digest, babe_err, BlockT, Error};
 use super::authorship::{make_transcript, calculate_primary_threshold, check_primary_threshold, secondary_slot_author};
 
 /// BABE verification parameters
@@ -41,15 +41,6 @@ pub(super) struct VerificationParams<'a, B: 'a + BlockT> {
 	pub(super) config: &'a super::Config,
 }
 
-macro_rules! babe_err {
-	($($i: expr),+) => {
-		{
-			debug!(target: "babe", $($i),+);
-			format!($($i),+)
-		}
-	};
-}
-
 /// Check a header has been signed by the right key. If the slot is too far in
 /// the future, an error will be returned. If successful, returns the pre-header
 /// and the digest item containing the seal.
@@ -63,7 +54,7 @@ macro_rules! babe_err {
 /// with each having different validation logic.
 pub(super) fn check_header<B: BlockT + Sized>(
 	params: VerificationParams<B>,
-) -> Result<CheckedHeader<B::Header, VerifiedHeaderInfo<B>>, String> where
+) -> Result<CheckedHeader<B::Header, VerifiedHeaderInfo<B>>, Error<B>> where
 	DigestItemFor<B>: CompatibleDigestItem,
 {
 	let VerificationParams {
@@ -75,16 +66,16 @@ pub(super) fn check_header<B: BlockT + Sized>(
 	} = params;
 
 	let authorities = &epoch.authorities;
-	let pre_digest = pre_digest.map(Ok).unwrap_or_else(|| find_pre_digest::<B::Header>(&header))?;
+	let pre_digest = pre_digest.map(Ok).unwrap_or_else(|| find_pre_digest::<B>(&header))?;
 
 	trace!(target: "babe", "Checking header");
 	let seal = match header.digest_mut().pop() {
 		Some(x) => x,
-		None => return Err(babe_err!("Header {:?} is unsealed", header.hash())),
+		None => return Err(babe_err(Error::HeaderUnsealed(header.hash()))),
 	};
 
 	let sig = seal.as_babe_seal().ok_or_else(|| {
-		babe_err!("Header {:?} has a bad seal", header.hash())
+		babe_err(Error::HeaderBadSeal(header.hash()))
 	})?;
 
 	// the pre-hash of the header doesn't include the seal
@@ -98,7 +89,7 @@ pub(super) fn check_header<B: BlockT + Sized>(
 
 	let author = match authorities.get(pre_digest.authority_index() as usize) {
 		Some(author) => author.0.clone(),
-		None => return Err(babe_err!("Slot author not found")),
+		None => return Err(babe_err(Error::SlotAuthorNotFound)),
 	};
 
 	match &pre_digest {
@@ -128,7 +119,7 @@ pub(super) fn check_header<B: BlockT + Sized>(
 			)?;
 		},
 		_ => {
-			return Err(babe_err!("Secondary slot assignments are disabled for the current epoch."));
+			return Err(babe_err(Error::SecondarySlotAssignmentsDisabled));
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -156,7 +147,7 @@ fn check_primary_header<B: BlockT + Sized>(
 	signature: AuthoritySignature,
 	epoch: &Epoch,
 	c: (u64, u64),
-) -> Result<(), String> {
+) -> Result<(), Error<B>> {
 	let (vrf_output, vrf_proof, authority_index, slot_number) = pre_digest;
 
 	let author = &epoch.authorities[authority_index as usize].0;
@@ -172,7 +163,7 @@ fn check_primary_header<B: BlockT + Sized>(
 			schnorrkel::PublicKey::from_bytes(author.as_slice()).and_then(|p| {
 				p.vrf_verify(transcript, vrf_output, vrf_proof)
 			}).map_err(|s| {
-				babe_err!("VRF verification failed: {:?}", s)
+				babe_err(Error::VRFVerificationFailed(s))
 			})?
 		};
 
@@ -183,13 +174,12 @@ fn check_primary_header<B: BlockT + Sized>(
 		);
 
 		if !check_primary_threshold(&inout, threshold) {
-			return Err(babe_err!("VRF verification of block by author {:?} failed: \
-								  threshold {} exceeded", author, threshold));
+			return Err(babe_err(Error::VRFVerificationOfBlockFailed(author.clone(), threshold)));
 		}
 
 		Ok(())
 	} else {
-		Err(babe_err!("Bad signature on {:?}", pre_hash))
+		Err(babe_err(Error::BadSignature(pre_hash)))
 	}
 }
 
@@ -202,7 +192,7 @@ fn check_secondary_header<B: BlockT>(
 	pre_digest: (AuthorityIndex, SlotNumber),
 	signature: AuthoritySignature,
 	epoch: &Epoch,
-) -> Result<(), String> {
+) -> Result<(), Error<B>> {
 	let (authority_index, slot_number) = pre_digest;
 
 	// check the signature is valid under the expected authority and
@@ -211,22 +201,17 @@ fn check_secondary_header<B: BlockT>(
 		slot_number,
 		&epoch.authorities,
 		epoch.randomness,
-	).ok_or_else(|| "No secondary author expected.".to_string())?;
+	).ok_or_else(|| Error::NoSecondaryAuthorExpected)?;
 
 	let author = &epoch.authorities[authority_index as usize].0;
 
 	if expected_author != author {
-		let msg = format!("Invalid author: Expected secondary author: {:?}, got: {:?}.",
-			expected_author,
-			author,
-		);
-
-		return Err(msg);
+		return Err(Error::InvalidAuthor(expected_author.clone(), author.clone()));
 	}
 
 	if AuthorityPair::verify(&signature, pre_hash.as_ref(), author) {
 		Ok(())
 	} else {
-		Err(format!("Bad signature on {:?}", pre_hash))
+		Err(Error::BadSignature(pre_hash))
 	}
 }
diff --git a/substrate/core/consensus/pow/Cargo.toml b/substrate/core/consensus/pow/Cargo.toml
index 54dd58c467..86efcbb95d 100644
--- a/substrate/core/consensus/pow/Cargo.toml
+++ b/substrate/core/consensus/pow/Cargo.toml
@@ -16,3 +16,4 @@ pow-primitives = { package = "substrate-consensus-pow-primitives", path = "primi
 consensus-common = { package = "substrate-consensus-common", path = "../common" }
 log = "0.4.8"
 futures-preview = { version = "0.3.0-alpha.19", features = ["compat"] }
+derive_more = "0.15.0"
diff --git a/substrate/core/consensus/pow/src/lib.rs b/substrate/core/consensus/pow/src/lib.rs
index 766c1c63e0..040eb01d9c 100644
--- a/substrate/core/consensus/pow/src/lib.rs
+++ b/substrate/core/consensus/pow/src/lib.rs
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ use client::{
 	block_builder::api::BlockBuilder as BlockBuilderApi, backend::AuxStore,
 	well_known_cache_keys::Id as CacheKeyId,
 };
-use sr_primitives::Justification;
+use sr_primitives::{Justification, RuntimeString};
 use sr_primitives::generic::{BlockId, Digest, DigestItem};
 use sr_primitives::traits::{Block as BlockT, Header as HeaderT, ProvideRuntimeApi};
 use srml_timestamp::{TimestampInherentData, InherentError as TIError};
@@ -46,12 +46,50 @@ use primitives::H256;
 use inherents::{InherentDataProviders, InherentData};
 use consensus_common::{
 	BlockImportParams, BlockOrigin, ForkChoiceStrategy, SyncOracle, Environment, Proposer,
-	SelectChain,
+	SelectChain, Error as ConsensusError
 };
 use consensus_common::import_queue::{BoxBlockImport, BasicQueue, Verifier};
 use codec::{Encode, Decode};
 use log::*;
 
+#[derive(derive_more::Display, Debug)]
+pub enum Error<B: BlockT> {
+	#[display(fmt = "Header uses the wrong engine {:?}", _0)]
+	WrongEngine([u8; 4]),
+	#[display(fmt = "Header {:?} is unsealed", _0)]
+	HeaderUnsealed(B::Hash),
+	#[display(fmt = "PoW validation error: invalid seal")]
+	InvalidSeal,
+	#[display(fmt = "Rejecting block too far in future")]
+	TooFarInFuture,
+	#[display(fmt = "Fetching best header failed using select chain: {:?}", _0)]
+	BestHeaderSelectChain(ConsensusError),
+	#[display(fmt = "Fetching best header failed: {:?}", _0)]
+	BestHeader(client::error::Error),
+	#[display(fmt = "Best header does not exist")]
+	NoBestHeader,
+	#[display(fmt = "Block proposing error: {:?}", _0)]
+	BlockProposingError(String),
+	#[display(fmt = "Fetch best hash failed via select chain: {:?}", _0)]
+	BestHashSelectChain(ConsensusError),
+	#[display(fmt = "Error with block built on {:?}: {:?}", _0, _1)]
+	BlockBuiltError(B::Hash, ConsensusError),
+	#[display(fmt = "Creating inherents failed: {}", _0)]
+	CreateInherents(RuntimeString),
+	#[display(fmt = "Checking inherents failed: {}", _0)]
+	CheckInherents(String),
+	Client(client::error::Error),
+	Codec(codec::Error),
+	Environment(String),
+	Runtime(RuntimeString)
+}
+
+impl<B: BlockT> std::convert::From<Error<B>> for String {
+	fn from(error: Error<B>) -> String {
+		error.to_string()
+	}
+}
+
 /// Auxiliary storage prefix for PoW engine.
 pub const POW_AUX_PREFIX: [u8; 4] = *b"PoW:";
 
@@ -74,12 +112,12 @@ impl<Difficulty> PowAux<Difficulty> where
 	Difficulty: Decode + Default,
 {
 	/// Read the auxiliary from client.
-	pub fn read<C: AuxStore>(client: &C, hash: &H256) -> Result<Self, String> {
+	pub fn read<C: AuxStore, B: BlockT>(client: &C, hash: &H256) -> Result<Self, Error<B>> {
 		let key = aux_key(hash);
 
-		match client.get_aux(&key).map_err(|e| format!("{:?}", e))? {
+		match client.get_aux(&key).map_err(Error::Client)? {
 			Some(bytes) => Self::decode(&mut &bytes[..])
-				.map_err(|e| format!("{:?}", e)),
+				.map_err(Error::Codec),
 			None => Ok(Self::default()),
 		}
 	}
@@ -91,7 +129,7 @@ pub trait PowAlgorithm<B: BlockT> {
 	type Difficulty: TotalDifficulty + Default + Encode + Decode + Ord + Clone + Copy;
 
 	/// Get the next block's difficulty.
-	fn difficulty(&self, parent: &BlockId<B>) -> Result<Self::Difficulty, String>;
+	fn difficulty(&self, parent: &BlockId<B>) -> Result<Self::Difficulty, Error<B>>;
 	/// Verify proof of work against the given difficulty.
 	fn verify(
 		&self,
@@ -99,7 +137,7 @@ pub trait PowAlgorithm<B: BlockT> {
 		pre_hash: &H256,
 		seal: &Seal,
 		difficulty: Self::Difficulty,
-	) -> Result<bool, String>;
+	) -> Result<bool, Error<B>>;
 	/// Mine a seal that satisfies the given difficulty.
 	fn mine(
 		&self,
@@ -107,7 +145,7 @@ pub trait PowAlgorithm<B: BlockT> {
 		pre_hash: &H256,
 		difficulty: Self::Difficulty,
 		round: u32,
-	) -> Result<Option<Seal>, String>;
+	) -> Result<Option<Seal>, Error<B>>;
 }
 
 /// A verifier for PoW blocks.
@@ -134,7 +172,7 @@ impl<B: BlockT<Hash=H256>, C, S, Algorithm> PowVerifier<B, C, S, Algorithm> {
 		&self,
 		mut header: B::Header,
 		parent_block_id: BlockId<B>,
-	) -> Result<(B::Header, Algorithm::Difficulty, DigestItem<H256>), String> where
+	) -> Result<(B::Header, Algorithm::Difficulty, DigestItem<H256>), Error<B>> where
 		Algorithm: PowAlgorithm<B>,
 	{
 		let hash = header.hash();
@@ -144,10 +182,10 @@ impl<B: BlockT<Hash=H256>, C, S, Algorithm> PowVerifier<B, C, S, Algorithm> {
 				if id == POW_ENGINE_ID {
 					(DigestItem::Seal(id, seal.clone()), seal)
 				} else {
-					return Err(format!("Header uses the wrong engine {:?}", id))
+					return Err(Error::WrongEngine(id))
 				}
 			},
-			_ => return Err(format!("Header {:?} is unsealed", hash)),
+			_ => return Err(Error::HeaderUnsealed(hash)),
 		};
 
 		let pre_hash = header.hash();
@@ -159,7 +197,7 @@ impl<B: BlockT<Hash=H256>, C, S, Algorithm> PowVerifier<B, C, S, Algorithm> {
 			&inner_seal,
 			difficulty,
 		)? {
-			return Err("PoW validation error: invalid seal".into());
+			return Err(Error::InvalidSeal);
 		}
 
 		Ok((header, difficulty, seal))
@@ -171,7 +209,7 @@ impl<B: BlockT<Hash=H256>, C, S, Algorithm> PowVerifier<B, C, S, Algorithm> {
 		block_id: BlockId<B>,
 		inherent_data: InherentData,
 		timestamp_now: u64,
-	) -> Result<(), String> where
+	) -> Result<(), Error<B>> where
 		C: ProvideRuntimeApi, C::Api: BlockBuilderApi<B>
 	{
 		const MAX_TIMESTAMP_DRIFT_SECS: u64 = 60;
@@ -184,7 +222,7 @@ impl<B: BlockT<Hash=H256>, C, S, Algorithm> PowVerifier<B, C, S, Algorithm> {
 			&block_id,
 			block,
 			inherent_data,
-		).map_err(|e| format!("{:?}", e))?;
+		).map_err(Error::Client)?;
 
 		if !inherent_res.ok() {
 			inherent_res
@@ -192,13 +230,15 @@ impl<B: BlockT<Hash=H256>, C, S, Algorithm> PowVerifier<B, C, S, Algorithm> {
 				.try_for_each(|(i, e)| match TIError::try_from(&i, &e) {
 					Some(TIError::ValidAtTimestamp(timestamp)) => {
 						if timestamp > timestamp_now + MAX_TIMESTAMP_DRIFT_SECS {
-							return Err("Rejecting block too far in future".into());
+							return Err(Error::TooFarInFuture);
 						}
 
 						Ok(())
 					},
-					Some(TIError::Other(e)) => Err(e.into()),
-					None => Err(self.inherent_data_providers.error_to_string(&i, &e)),
+					Some(TIError::Other(e)) => Err(Error::Runtime(e)),
+					None => Err(Error::CheckInherents(
+						self.inherent_data_providers.error_to_string(&i, &e)
+					)),
 				})
 		} else {
 			Ok(())
@@ -231,8 +271,8 @@ impl<B: BlockT<Hash=H256>, C, S, Algorithm> Verifier<B> for PowVerifier<B, C, S,
 		};
 		let hash = header.hash();
 		let parent_hash = *header.parent_hash();
-		let best_aux = PowAux::read(self.client.as_ref(), &best_hash)?;
-		let mut aux = PowAux::read(self.client.as_ref(), &parent_hash)?;
+		let best_aux = PowAux::read::<_, B>(self.client.as_ref(), &best_hash)?;
+		let mut aux = PowAux::read::<_, B>(self.client.as_ref(), &parent_hash)?;
 
 		let (checked_header, difficulty, seal) = self.check_header(
 			header,
@@ -390,7 +430,7 @@ fn mine_loop<B: BlockT<Hash=H256>, C, Algorithm, E, SO, S>(
 	build_time: std::time::Duration,
 	select_chain: Option<&S>,
 	inherent_data_providers: &inherents::InherentDataProviders,
-) -> Result<(), String> where
+) -> Result<(), Error<B>> where
 	C: HeaderBackend<B> + AuxStore,
 	Algorithm: PowAlgorithm<B>,
 	E: Environment<B>,
@@ -408,23 +448,24 @@ fn mine_loop<B: BlockT<Hash=H256>, C, Algorithm, E, SO, S>(
 		let (best_hash, best_header) = match select_chain {
 			Some(select_chain) => {
 				let header = select_chain.best_chain()
-					.map_err(|e| format!("Fetching best header failed using select chain: {:?}", e))?;
+					.map_err(Error::BestHeaderSelectChain)?;
 				let hash = header.hash();
 				(hash, header)
 			},
 			None => {
 				let hash = client.info().best_hash;
 				let header = client.header(BlockId::Hash(hash))
-					.map_err(|e| format!("Fetching best header failed: {:?}", e))?
-					.ok_or("Best header does not exist")?;
+					.map_err(Error::BestHeader)?
+					.ok_or(Error::NoBestHeader)?;
 				(hash, header)
 			},
 		};
 		let mut aux = PowAux::read(client, &best_hash)?;
-		let mut proposer = env.init(&best_header).map_err(|e| format!("{:?}", e))?;
+		let mut proposer = env.init(&best_header)
+			.map_err(|e| Error::Environment(format!("{:?}", e)))?;
 
 		let inherent_data = inherent_data_providers
-			.create_inherent_data().map_err(String::from)?;
+			.create_inherent_data().map_err(Error::CreateInherents)?;
 		let mut inherent_digest = Digest::default();
 		if let Some(preruntime) = &preruntime {
 			inherent_digest.push(DigestItem::PreRuntime(POW_ENGINE_ID, preruntime.to_vec()));
@@ -433,7 +474,7 @@ fn mine_loop<B: BlockT<Hash=H256>, C, Algorithm, E, SO, S>(
 			inherent_data,
 			inherent_digest,
 			build_time.clone(),
-		)).map_err(|e| format!("Block proposing error: {:?}", e))?;
+		)).map_err(|e| Error::BlockProposingError(format!("{:?}", e)))?;
 
 		let (header, body) = block.deconstruct();
 		let (difficulty, seal) = {
@@ -470,7 +511,7 @@ fn mine_loop<B: BlockT<Hash=H256>, C, Algorithm, E, SO, S>(
 		let key = aux_key(&hash);
 		let best_hash = match select_chain {
 			Some(select_chain) => select_chain.best_chain()
-				.map_err(|e| format!("Fetch best hash failed via select chain: {:?}", e))?
+				.map_err(Error::BestHashSelectChain)?
 				.hash(),
 			None => client.info().best_hash,
 		};
@@ -493,6 +534,6 @@ fn mine_loop<B: BlockT<Hash=H256>, C, Algorithm, E, SO, S>(
 		};
 
 		block_import.import_block(import_block, HashMap::default())
-			.map_err(|e| format!("Error with block built on {:?}: {:?}", best_hash, e))?;
+			.map_err(|e| Error::BlockBuiltError(best_hash, e))?;
 	}
 }