What are the new Ecodesign 2022 Rules?

For those who are thinking of getting a new stove for their home to provide a warming glow, the new Ecodesign 2022 rules might seem off-putting. The news has circulated that regulations are due to become stricter, but this shouldn’t put anyone off from their dream of having a genuine stove fireplace as the industry is well prepared.

This month, we’ll walk you through who is making the rules, what the regulations are and what it means for you and your plans.

Who is responsible for the Eco Design 2022 initiative?

There are three main players in the Ecodesign 2022 initiative, each playing their part to improve the industry while still allowing homeowners to enjoy all the benefits of a wood burner or solid fuel stove.

DEFRA – The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Responsible for the Clean Air Strategy set out in early 2019, their purpose is to make sure the air we breathe is as clean as possible.

SIA – The Stove Industry Alliance is the grouping of manufacturers, distributors and other parties involved with the production and maintenance of stove fireplaces.

HETAS – The Heating Equipment Testing and Approvals Scheme is a specialist organisation which deals with solid fuel appliances. They operate as a not-for-profit, providing a competent person scheme and registration for fuels and fireplace appliances.

What are the new Eco Design 2022 rules?

The new Ecodesign rules for stoves comes from DEFRA’s three core aims as part of their Clean Air Strategy. 

1. Reducing particulate matter (PM). The government aim is to prohibit the sale of the most polluting fuels and to have only the cleanest stoves on sale from 2022. 
2. Improve stove efficiency – From 2022, SIA will help to ensure all stoves are more efficient using the Ecodesign.
3. Updated Smoke Control Zone laws – A national approach will be taken to improve smoke controls across all councils to keep the air cleaner. 

Will my stove be legal after 2022?

The short answer to this is yes. The new legislation surrounding Ecodesign stoves simply means that any stove purchased or manufactured after January 1st 2022 must comply with Ecodesign. If you have a stove currently installed, even if it doesn’t meet the new standards, you will be allowed to keep it. However, you are encouraged to upgrade your stove to help the environment and bring your home in line with the new legislation.

If you’re currently looking for a new stove, finding a supplier who works with HETAS or supplies DEFRA-approved stoves will help you to save money in the long term. Ecodesign ready stoves are available now so that you can be sure you’re getting a superior stove performance while helping the environment. However, if you’re unsure about what you need and would prefer something which doesn’t involve any solid fuel burning, then an electric stove is the ideal alternative.

What is an Ecodesign ready stove?

Any stove with the SIA Ecodesign ready approval means it has met the new and improved standards for efficiency and emissions. This means that after January 1st 2022, these stoves will be the only type allowed to be sold.

These stoves will have been put through independent testing to ensure they meet the new guidelines for emissions and efficiency before they can be sold. The results of the testing also need to be checked by HETAS, after which it will be added to their listing of approved stove models.

It is expected that, despite Ecodesign being a European initiative, the Ecodesign rules will be taken into UK law upon leaving the European Union.

What are the benefits of an Ecodesign ready stove?

While stoves are required to have an energy label already (this came into effect in 2018), the new standards will help to drastically cut down on emissions and provide a more efficient system. This benefits both you and the environment since you’ll save on fuel costs and your emissions will be drastically cut. By choosing an Ecodesign ready stove, or upgrading to one, you’ll start benefiting long before the initiative comes into full force.

Shop our full collection of Ecodesign stoves here.

For a stove supplier in London and Wimbledon you can trust, look no further than Enviro-Flame. We provide HETAS-approved stoves and Ecodesign ready models to help ensure you’re getting the very best solid fuel stoves available, long before 2022. Get all the warmth and comfort of a stove today, with lower fuel costs and fewer particulate emissions.

Check out our Ecodesign stoves in our store today or call our team for your free estimate.