Domestic Solid Fuels

 New standards for domestic solid fuels announced on International Clean Air Day

From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications 

Published on 7 September 2021

Last updated on 20 September 2021

Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD, has marked International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies by announcing the new standards for all domestic solid fuels that will be introduced across the State within a year.

From that point on, the most polluting of fuels will no longer be available on the Irish market.

New Solid Fuel Standards

Poor air quality causes premature deaths and each year some 1,300 people die in Ireland due to air pollution from solid fuel burning. This demonstrates the extent to which the choices we make when heating our homes can impact on our own health and the communities in which we live.

Minister Ryan said:

"When this Government was formed, we gave a commitment to tackle air pollution caused by domestic solid fuel burning, and we remain committed to doing so. We took a major step earlier this year, with a public consultation on the development of new solid fuels regulations for Ireland. We received more than 3,500 responses across all strands of the consultation, with a wide variety of suggested regulatory approaches for solid fuels.

"Having considered the submissions made by the public, health experts, advocacy groups, academia and industry, a framework for legislation has been developed and drafting of the regulations is underway."

From 2022 the following new standards for solid fuels will apply in Ireland:

Coal, coal-based products, any manufactured solid fuel or peat briquettes will be required to have a smoke emission rate of less than 10g/hour, reducing to 5g/hr by 2025

It is not proposed to make any changes to the smoke emission rate for biomass products (that contain coal), as this is already set at 5g/hr

The sulphur content permitted for all fuels will be reduced from 2% to 1% over time

Wood sold in single units under 2m³ will be required to have a moisture content of 25% or less (moving to 20% within 4 years) and wet wood sold over these volumes will be required to come with instructions for the purchaser on how to dry this wood

In order to accommodate those with rights to harvest sod peat, no ban on its burning will be introduced. However, a regulatory regime to reduce its harm in more urbanised areas is under examination

These regulations will be finalised in the coming months and will be in place for the 2022 heating season. They are being announced now to allow those servicing the domestic solid fuel market to plan accordingly and to continue to invest in less polluting alternatives.

Minister Ryan added:

"In the meantime, I trust that people will take note of the messages in the forthcoming public awareness campaign I am announcing today, and take these simple steps to bring about better air quality and improved health for all. During this period, people are being empowered to make a conscious, personal choice to contribute to cleaner air and a healthier environment."

Public Awareness Campaign

In advance of the new regulations, Minister Ryan is also launching a public awareness campaign focusing on the simple steps people can take to reduce air pollution from domestic fires during the winter ahead.

The campaign will be run across national and local radio stations, in the national and regional press, and on social media from late September.

The campaign will centre around three core messages or the ‘ABC’ for Cleaner Air, which can help bring about significant improvements in air quality:

A – Ask yourself: "Do I need to light a fire?" Use other cleaner heating sources instead if possible

B – Burn cleaner, more efficient, low-smoke fuels and make sure you use the right fuel for your appliance

C – Clean and maintain your chimneys and heating appliances at least once a year

Minister Ryan said:

"The upcoming campaign will show that there are simple steps every householder can take in order to help us achieve better air quality for all. By taking these simple steps people can help to safeguard the health of those who are at particular risk of problems caused by air pollution, such as people with asthma, children and the elderly."

Moreover, the Minister will also open a public consultation on the forthcoming Clean Air Strategy in the near future.