WOODSURE, the non-profit organisation appointed by DEFRA to run its Ready to Burn certification scheme, is reminding woodfuel suppliers to sign up ready for 1 May, ensuring they meet standards outlined under new incoming legislation.

The Air Quality (Domestic Solid Fuels Standards) (England) Regulations 2020 come into force in England from 1 May 2021 for most woodfuel suppliers. The new regulations aim to prevent harmful pollution from the domestic burning of all solid fuels by ensuring wood sold in volumes of up to 2 m³ is certified as having a moisture content of 20 per cent or less. Suppliers selling quantities of wood over 2 m³ will need to provide customers with advice on how to store and season the fuel so that it is dry to burn. Manufacturers of solid fuels will also be required to demonstrate their products meet smoke emission and sulphur content standards through a certification scheme. Enforcement of the legislative requirements will be undertaken by local authorities.

READ MORE: Woodsure to run ‘Ready to Burn’ certification scheme

Woodsure CEO, Bruce Allen, said: “We believe that with the additional backing and enforcement of the new Air Quality regulations, the scheme is critical in making it easy for consumers to purchase wood that is legal to use.”

From May, where wood is sold in volumes under 2 m³ for combustion in domestic properties the packaging must include the supplier’s name, the certification number and the Ready to Burn logo as identified in the regulations.

The legislation makes it possible for local authorities to issue fixed-penalty notices for offences without a conviction.

Helen Bentley-Fox, director of Woodsure, added: “Smaller suppliers, those who supply less than 600 m³ a year, will have an extra year to prepare for the regulations until May 2022.”

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