Ecodesign 2022: One Year to Go — What Retailers and Homeowners Need to Know

With just one year until Ecodesign 2022, the countdown is on. Here’s what retailers and homeowners need to know as the stove industry prepares for its biggest change in decades.

January 14, 2021
By Reece Toscani
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Stoves and the Environment

The biggest change in two decades!

From 1st January, the new Ecodesign 2022 regulations will come into force, setting strict limits on emissions and efficiency for solid fuel appliances.

In 2019 we raised ten big questions. In 2020 we saw the industry split between early adopters and laggards, and watched brands like Stovax release Ecodesign versions of their most popular models. Now, in January 2021, with just one year to go, the countdown is well and truly on.

So what do we know for certain, and what should retailers and homeowners be preparing for in this final stretch?

What We Know for Certain Now

A year out from the deadline, several points are beyond doubt:

Existing stoves are not banned. The regulations apply only to new appliances placed on the market after 1st January 2022. Existing installations remain unaffected.
Retailers can sell through pre-2022 stock. If a stove is manufactured or imported before the deadline, it can still be sold afterwards.
The UK will adopt Ecodesign despite Brexit. Government commitment is firm: Ecodesign is happening.
Certification routes are in place. HETAS, Kiwa, and other test houses are offering Ecodesign testing, giving manufacturers a clear pathway to compliance.
Many brands are already Ecodesign Ready. The SIA Ecodesign Ready badge is now a familiar sight in showrooms, signalling which stoves meet the 2022 standards today.

The fog that surrounded 2019 has largely cleared. Ecodesign is real, it’s happening, and most of the industry is now aligned.

The Final Year for Laggards

But some manufacturers still haven’t moved. Clearview remains the most notable absence, with none of its models Ecodesign Ready even now. For a brand with such a loyal following, this raises uncomfortable questions: will their customers wait, or shift to brands already compliant?

Other smaller niche makers are in the same position, and the clock is ticking. With just one year to go, the testing, certification, and distribution timeline is painfully tight. Retailers are also showing less patience for non-compliant models, preferring to back brands they know will be safe beyond 2022.

Retailers: Managing the Transition

For retailers, 2021 is the year of stock discipline. The rules are clear: stoves placed on the market before January 2022 can still be sold. But that doesn’t mean holding large volumes of non-Ecodesign models is a wise move.

Stock planning: older models need to be sold through carefully to avoid dead inventory.
Sales messaging: retailers must tread carefully, clearing older stock without undermining the case for cleaner Ecodesign models.
Customer education: now is the time to repeat, loudly and clearly, that existing stoves remain legal, but Ecodesign Ready is the smarter long-term choice.

Homeowners: The Key Questions in 2021

For homeowners, this final pre-Ecodesign year brings its own set of decisions:

Should I buy now or wait until 2022? Buying an Ecodesign Ready stove today is already a safe, future-proof option.
Will older models be cheaper? Almost certainly, as retailers discount non-Ecodesign stock — but the trade-off is higher emissions and an appliance built to yesterday’s standard.
Is my current stove still legal? Yes. Nothing changes for existing installations.
Will I notice a difference with Ecodesign Ready? Yes: cleaner glass, higher efficiency, fewer emissions, and in many cases a more enjoyable burn experience.

The Risk of a Last-Minute Rush

The biggest risk for the industry now is a late-2021 rush. As the deadline looms, will buyers flock to pick up discounted non-Ecodesign stoves? If so, retailers may find themselves caught between clearing stock and promoting compliance.

This scenario could confuse consumers — and potentially damage the carefully built messaging around cleaner burning. The best defence is preparation: educating buyers now, rather than firefighting later.

Looking Ahead to January 2022

With just 12 months left, the conversation has shifted from “what is Ecodesign?” to “are we ready?” By next January, the change will be here. The big story then will be how smoothly (or disruptively) the transition unfolds.

For now, 2021 is the final countdown. The winners will be those who plan ahead, communicate clearly, and position Ecodesign not as a burden, but as the start of a cleaner, more resilient future for woodburning.

One year out, Ecodesign 2022 is no longer theory — it’s the reality shaping every purchase, every product line, and every showroom conversation. For retailers, the task is to manage stock and educate customers. For homeowners, the choice is between yesterday’s stoves and tomorrow’s.

The countdown is on, and by this time next year, there will be no more speculation. Only change.

💡 Are you planning to buy a stove this year, or will you wait until Ecodesign becomes law in 2022? Share your thoughts below — we’ll feature some perspectives in our launch-day coverage next January.

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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.