BSRIA response to draft clean air strategy

On 22 May 2018, Environment Secretary Michael Gove published a draft Clean Air Strategy for consultation. The strategy is backed up by new primary legislation, and is in addition to the government’s £3.5 billion plan to reduce air pollution from road transport set out in July 2017.

The strategy includes proposals to ensure only the cleanest domestic fuels will be available for sale, suggesting there should be a clamp down on all sources of pollution, including coal-burning and wood-burning stoves. However, Environment Secretary Michael Gove said it would be "disproportionate" to have a uniform ban on certain fuels, as air pollution effects in rural areas are significantly less compared to urban areas because they are dispersed. For more information see: Clean air strategy.

BSRIA responded to the proposals, suggesting that more education is needed.

Allan Wilson, a test engineer at BSRIA, said:

“With the introduction of the EcoDesign Directive for solid fuel appliances scheduled for 2022, the legislation makes provision for the significant reduction in all measured emissions including particulates. There doesn’t, however, appear to be a policy to address emissions from existing appliances or open fires including BBQs.

“While there is tighter legislation being introduced in terms of appliance manufacturers having to demonstrate compliance, there is no control as to how they are operated once sold to the consumer. Education as to how the end user operates their new and existing appliances would contribute greatly in the reduction of ‘real’ emissions. Part of the education piece should be the promotion of appropriate fuels that are ‘fit to burn’. For both new and existing appliances."

NB In April 2016, BSRIA alerted manufacturers to imminent changes in government legislation for testing room heaters fired by solid fuels for CE marking and DEFRA smoke tests. BSEN 13240 is being replaced by BSEN 16510 under the Eco Design Directive 2009/1185/6. The new legislation will be implemented in September 2018, and the deadline for testing emissions limits is January 2022.

--BSRIA