EcoDesign: All You Need to Know About the New UK Wood Burning Stove Regulations

There seems to be a lot of confusion about the new wood-burning stove regulations that will go live on January 1, 2022.

People are asking whether it will be legal for them to use their existing wood stoves in 2022. Whether they’ll be required to upgrade their existing stoves. Or whether they’ll be forced to buy new stoves outright. 

Read on to find out everything you need to know about the 2022 wood-burning stove regulations.

What Are the Ecodesign Standards?

Ecodesign is an EU environmental standard that is aimed at making solid fuel stoves more eco-friendly and energy-efficient.

Starting with January 2022, all wood burners and multi-fuel stoves sold in the UK must comply with the standard.

In order to qualify for the Ecodesign quality mark, the appliance needs to be tested by an approved, independent testing lab.

If the emissions produced by the stove during the test fall within permissible levels, the stove will be granted Ecodesign certification.

Why Is the UK Implementing an EU Standard?

The implementation of the Ecodesign standard is just one of the many steps taken by the UK government to achieve its goal of reaching net-zero carbon dioxide emissions in the next thirty years.

Other steps include Defra’s Ready to Burn initiative, which is aimed at prohibiting the sale of high moisture, poor quality wood fuels in the UK, and the Clean Air Act, which limits where wood fuels can be burned. The UK Government is also planning to bring in a ban on burning house coal and wet wood by 2023 in order to help cut pollution. 

Will It Be Illegal to Use non-Ecodesign Wood Stoves in 2022?

No, it won’t be.

Users of existing non-Ecodesign solid fuel burners will not be penalized in any way.

The new regulations only apply to the manufacture of new stoves, not the use of already manufactured stoves.

Will I Be Able to Buy a non-Ecodesign Wood Stove in 2022?

Yes, non-Ecodesign stoves will still be sold in the UK in 2022.

Chances are stores will be eager to get rid of their non-Ecodesign appliances as soon as possible, so you may find non-compliant stoves being sold at a heavy discount in the coming months.

This being said, we strongly encourage the public to purchase only Ecodesign-compliant wood stoves, even if they will cost a bit more. This is a much better choice for your health and the health of the planet.