The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Ready to Burn certification scheme is run by HETAS and Woodsure, both non-profit organisations supporting cleaner and safer choices for the use of biomass and other solid fuels, appliances and associated technologies.
Woodsure has been championing the use of less polluting dry wood which is verified by its independent inspectors as having a moisture content of 20% or less, meaning it burns with less smoke than wetter wood.
Government Legislation
When did the legislation come in to force?
Under the Air Quality (Domestic Solid Fuels Standards) (England) Regulations 2020 that now apply in England, wood fuel sold in volumes under 2m3 must be certified as Ready to Burn.
What is the aim of the legislation?
The regulations aim to prevent harmful pollution from domestic burning of all solid fuels by ensuring wood sold in volumes of under 2m3 is certified as having a moisture content of 20% or less.
What are the exceptions?
Customers buying loose wood in quantities of 2m3 or more must be given advice on how to store and season the fuel, giving them confidence that the wood they are burning is suitably dry before use.
What fuel does it cover?
HETAS administers the Ready to Burn scheme for Manufactured Solid Fuels (MSF), More information can be found on the HETAS website. Woodsure administers the Ready to Burn scheme for wood fuels
