Bid to limit smoke from burners to boost health

NEW wood burners will be subject to stricter limits on smoke emissions and health warning labels under the latest Government plans.

- REBECCA SPEARE-COLE

Tighter restrictions may be placed on how much smoke new wood burning stoves can produce

(lucentius)

The measures, aimed at cutting harmful emissions and supporting cleaner technologies, are part of a UK-wide consultation launched on Thursday.

Ministers have proposed to cut the limit on smoke emissions by 80% - from the rate of five grams per hour under the current standards to one gram per hour.

The plans would also require stoves, as well as wood sold for burning, to carry a label outlining the pollution they can produce and the impact on people's health.

The measures apply only to new appliances, although industry data suggests 70% of stoves tested since 2018 already meet the new one gram limit.

Another proposal would see the fine for fuel suppliers selling damp wood which emits more smoke than dry wood - increase from £300 to £2,000.