Ecodesign 2022: Three Years to Go — What It Means for Solid Fuel Stoves

With Ecodesign regulations just three years away, the stove industry faces its biggest change in decades. Here are the key questions we’re asking in 2019 — and what it could mean for homeowners.

January 24, 2019
By Reece Toscani
Leave a Comment

Stoves and the Environment

What Is Ecodesign?

The clock is ticking. From 1st January 2022, new Ecodesign regulations will come into force across Europe, setting strict new limits on emissions and efficiency for solid fuel appliances. For the stove industry, this could be the biggest change in two decades.

But here in January 2019, we’re still three years out. And while we know the broad outlines of what’s coming, many questions remain unanswered. This post looks at what we know so far — and the uncertainties still hanging over the industry.

Ecodesign is part of an EU-wide policy to reduce the environmental impact of energy-related products. For solid fuel stoves, it sets limits on emissions such as particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOₓ), and organic gaseous compounds (OGCs), alongside requirements for higher efficiency.

In short: stoves will need to burn cleaner, waste less fuel, and deliver more heat per log.

1. Will my existing stove be banned?

Many stove owners are already asking this — but the regulations apply only to new appliances placed on the market after 1st January 2022. Existing installations are not affected. Still, clear messaging will be vital to avoid confusion.

2. What happens to unsold stock?

If a stove is manufactured or imported before the deadline, can retailers still sell it afterwards? For shops with large inventories, this is a crucial detail — but as of early 2019, the official guidance is still hazy.

3. How do the new limits compare to DEFRA approval?

DEFRA Exempt stoves are currently the cleanest option available in smoke control areas. But Ecodesign sets the bar higher across multiple emissions categories. Will today’s DEFRA stoves pass, or will they need redesigning?

4. Who will test and certify compliance?

Manufacturers need clarity on where to go and what the process will be. Will HETAS, Kiwa and other test houses take the lead? And how will enforcement work once products are on sale?

5. What about Brexit?

As of January 2019, Britain’s departure from the EU is still unsettled. Will the UK adopt Ecodesign rules regardless of EU membership? Government signals suggest yes, but official confirmation is lacking.

6. What will this mean for stove prices?

Cleaner combustion and more complex designs come at a cost. Will this push up retail prices, or will innovation and competition keep stoves affordable?

7. Who is already ahead of the curve?

In 2017, the Stove Industry Alliance (SIA) launched its Ecodesign Ready campaign, pledging that all new stove models from its members would meet the 2022 standards by January 2020 — two years early.

Stoves that passed the stricter tests were granted the right to display the SIA Ecodesign Ready logo, giving consumers confidence they were buying a product already future-proofed against the upcoming regulations.

By early 2019, many British and European manufacturers had Ecodesign Ready ranges in showrooms. This early adoption shows leadership within the industry, and reassures buyers who want cleaner burning appliances today.

8. Who’s not playing ball?

Not every manufacturer has committed. Clearview, for instance — one of the UK’s most recognisable stove brands — has not yet introduced Ecodesign Ready models. Will these long-established players adapt in time, or risk losing ground as the deadline approaches?

9. How will consumers respond?

Will Ecodesign Ready become a selling point, or will buyers stick with trusted names regardless of certification? Public perception will play a big role in how smoothly this transition happens.

10. Is this just the beginning?

Some believe Ecodesign is the first step toward even tougher restrictions on domestic burning. Others see it as a way to secure the future of wood as a renewable, low-carbon heat source. Which view proves true remains to be seen.

Looking Ahead

Three years out, we have more questions than answers. What’s clear is that Ecodesign 2022 is coming — and it will reshape the stove industry.

As the months pass, some of today’s uncertainties will be resolved. By January 2020 we’ll know which manufacturers have hit the SIA pledge, how many stoves on sale are Ecodesign Ready, and whether the UK has formally committed to adopting the rules.

Until then, the key task is awareness. Retailers, installers, and homeowners need to understand what’s coming and what it means. Because when 2022 arrives, the industry will look very different from today.

💡 Do you think Ecodesign is a necessary step for cleaner air, or just red tape for the stove industry? Share your thoughts below — we’ll revisit them in next year’s update when more of the picture becomes clear.

See related stories to this one:

ECO-Design 2022

Reece Toscani

Reece has over two decades in the fireplace and stove world — testing, reviewing, and occasionally getting covered in soot, all in the name of wood-fired home heating. He cuts through the nonsense, busts the myths, and shares straight-talking advice to help you enjoy your stove without the confusion. From Fireplace Products to Redefining Woodburners, if it burns wood, he’s probably tested it, fixed it, or argued about it. Now, through Woodburner Insights, he shares that experience with the world — both here and on YouTube.