The UK Government has launched a nationwide consultation on domestic wood and solid fuel burning, setting out proposals to reduce air pollution from stoves and fuels used in homes.
The consultation, which opened on 22nd January and will run until 19th March 2026, is being led by DEFRA in collaboration with the Scottish Government, Welsh Government and Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA). Any future policy changes will be developed jointly with the devolved administrations.
At the centre of the consultation are proposals to reduce emissions through:
- Stricter emission limits for new stoves – introducing tougher smoke emission standards for new appliances placed on the market.
- Mandatory labelling for stoves and fuels – providing clear information on emissions, permitted fuels, and health impacts to help consumers make informed choices.
- Increased enforcement penalties – raising penalties for suppliers who breach fuel standards to ensure compliance
One proposal would significantly tighten smoke emission limits for new solid fuel stoves coming onto the market. Current regulations allow appliances to emit up to 5 grams of smoke per hour, but the government is proposing to lower this to 1 gram per hour, plus a small allowance linked to heat output.
The proposed standard would not apply to existing stoves already installed in homes. To allow manufacturers time to adapt, the government suggests the new limits would come into force three to five years after legislation is passed. Regular retesting of stoves already on the market is also being considered to ensure ongoing compliance.
Alongside tighter limits, the government is proposing mandatory emissions labelling for new solid fuel appliances. The label would sit alongside existing energy efficiency ratings and include an A–C pollution scale, showing which fuels can be used, and a statement outlining the health impacts of domestic burning.
Suggestions include working such as ‘Please be aware that this appliance emits air pollution which can harm your health’ Suppliers in Great Britain would be required to display the label at the point of sale, while use in Northern Ireland would be voluntary.
The consultation also proposes mandatory health impact labelling on solid fuel packaging, such as wood and coal, in the hope that frequent exposure to health warnings at the point of purchase could reinforce awareness of the risks burning poses to households and neighbouring communities.
The government is also consulting on increasing penalties for suppliers who breach fuel regulations, such as selling wet wood or banned fuels. The current fixed penalty of £300 could rise to up to £2,000, with higher penalties for repeat offenders. This change would apply only in England, reflecting differences in devolved enforcement systems.
Pollution from burning in homes is one of the UK’s biggest sources of air pollution, contributing 20% of fine particles, about the same as all road transport. The fine particles are the most dangerous air pollutant for human health, the government said. Wood-burning stoves and fires in homes are linked to 2,500 early deaths a year in the UK, according to a recent study, as well as 3,700 cases of diabetes and 1,500 cases of asthma.
