How To Explain Defra Approved To Your Boss

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How To Explain Defra Approved To Your Boss

What is a Defra Approved Stove?

A defra-approved stove is a wood-burning stove which has been approved by the UK Government Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. This allows them to use in Smoke Control Areas within the UK.

Defra is an English government department with responsibility for protecting the environment, food production and standards agriculture, as well as a flourishing rural economy. Defra also sets solid protocols to deal with the spread of notifiable diseases.

Approved by Defra

Defra approved wood stoves and multi-fuel stoves are compliant with the standards of emission set by the government for use in Smoke Control Areas. These new standards do not restrict the use of wood stoves in these areas, but rather impose restrictions on how much smoke they produce when operating.

At ESSE we are proud to offer a wide selection of defra approved stoves from top manufacturers like Arada, Burley, Parkray and Stovax. All of our Defra-approved stoves come with the most modern clean burning technology. This means they come with secondary and secondary combustion systems that help to reduce emissions, which results in less noxious smoke coming from the chimney, and leaving a smaller environmental footprint.

Defra approved products are suitable for cleaning and disinfecting hard surfaces such as farm equipment, buildings, and vehicles. The Defra approved disinfectants list is maintained by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), which charges an annual fee to approve the new back-to-back approval trade names for disinfectants. APHA can also retest a product's efficacy any time. The results can be added to the list of approved disinfectants, without the requirement of submitting an actual sample.

Approved for Smoke Control Areas

Smoke Control Areas are found in several areas of the UK. This means that you can only use exempt equipment or burn fuels that have been approved. This is in order to reduce air pollution from burning unauthorised fuels that cause nuisance smoke and ash builds up. To avoid breaking the law or getting fined, you should only burn wood logs using a DEFRA-approved stove, fireplace or fireplace. Stovax offer a variety of wood and multi-fuel stoves, fires and fireplaces that are DEFRA approved for use in Smoke Control Areas.

These stoves have passed strict DEFRA emissions tests and are able to meet the minimum smoke levels that are permitted in Smoke Control Areas. These stoves can be used with a variety of fuels, including logs, anthracite and semi-anthracite coal brquettes, as well as manufactured smokeless fuels, such as heat logs. They can also be used to burn electricity, gas, low volatile steam coal or any combination of these. On the DEFRA website, you will get a complete list of approved fuels.


Look for the DEFRA Logo on the manufacturer's website or in their showrooms when you are looking for the stove. If the stove is stamped with the DEFRA logo, then you can be assured that it is Defra-approved use in smoke-controlled areas. It can burn wood in these zones. You will still need an appropriate chimney lining however, smaller 5kW stoves are able to be fitted with a 5" twin-wall stainless steel liner instead of the standard 6" liner.

If you don't have an DEFRA approved stove you may be eligible to obtain a licence from your local authority to use non-approved fuels in your home.  DEFRA stoves cost 'll need to go to the DEFRA website to determine whether you are eligible for an exemption, and there are specific rules to be adhered to such as having a smoke detector installed. It is also important to note that if you own an open fire, barbecue or garden chimineas, you will have to adhere to the same rules as Smoke Control Areas.

Approved for Smokeless fuels

To be approved by the defra wood burners must be able to burn fuels that are smokeless authorised by the government, without generating excessive emissions. These fuels are often referred to as 'Smokeless Coal' or 'Heat Logs and have passed stringent tests to ensure that they meet the requirements set by Defra for Smoke Control Areas. These fuels are an excellent alternative to logs made from real wood because they are cleaner and produce less smoke than seasoned logs.

Before the rules for smoke control zones were put in place residents could burn anything they wanted and this caused a lot of air pollution which caused health issues for those living in urban areas. Since the regulations were put in place, Defra worked to reduce the amount of pollutants that are present in these areas. They did this by regulating types of fuel that can be used in fireplaces and stoves.

If you reside in a smoke-free zone, then it's essential that your stove is Defra approved so that you don't face hefty penalties for breaking the rules. Even if you do not reside in a smoke-free area, investing in a defra-exempt stove is worth it. They are better for your chimney and the environment.

Defra approves wood burning stoves as well as multi fuel stoves that have been tested for compliance with the UK's Smoke Control Areas legislation. When you purchase a new stove, be sure that it has the Defra approval badge to be sure that it is compliant with the regulations required.

There are two main methods to get Defra approved. One way is to make your stove and the fuels Defra approved by having them tested, which can be very expensive. You can also purchase a stove that is Defra-approved and use only Defra-approved fuels. It is cheaper to buy an approved stove by Defra but you should still consult your local council first if you are not sure if you reside in a smoke control area.

In England in England, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is responsible for environmental protection and control for air quality, among other things. It also represents the United Kingdom at international negotiations regarding agricultural, environmental and fisheries issues. The department was created in 2001 following the merger of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF), the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR) and is a part of the Home Office. The department is managed by a cabinet member who is directly accountable to the Prime Minister.

Approved for Multi-fuel Stoves

DEFRA approved stoves are tested for low emissions and efficiency. They can be used in smoke exempt areas and can burn a variety of fuel types including wood, coal, and logs. They are available in a variety of sizes and styles, and can be installed or freestanding. They are perfect for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint and save money on their heating bills.

The Defra Logo is easily recognizable and is widely used by the industry. The Defra logo is typically found on the specification sheets and title pages of various stoves. It signifies that the appliance can burn authorised fuels within smoke controlled areas. Some stoves also sport a SE (smoke-exempt) logo, which indicates that they can be installed legally in a smoke-controlled location when burning approved fuels.

Defra approved wood burning stoves are often more efficient than older models and feature the latest technology for clean combustion. Numerous top stove manufacturers like Arada Burley Parkray Stovax, have developed secondary and third-generation combustion systems to improve the efficiency of their stoves.

If you live in a zone of smoke control and do not have a DEFRA approved stove, then you could be penalized up to PS1000. You can get around this by making sure that the stove you purchase is DEFRA approved prior to buying it.

A DEFRA-approved kitchen appliance is the most green way to heat your home. A DEFRA approved wood burning stove will help you save money on your energy bills, and prevent smoke from bothering neighbors. There's a wide selection of wood burning and multifuel stoves that are DEFRA approved which means you're bound to find the ideal one for your home. There are even models that are both DEFRA approved and Eco Design-2022 compliant so you can have the best of both! Explore the options and find out the options available.