Getting fuel authorised for sale in smoke control areas
What you need to do to get your fuel authorised for use in domestic heating appliances in smoke control areas.
Many parts of the UK are smoke control areas where there are rules about the fuels and appliances allowed to be used in domestic homes.
If you’re a UK fuel manufacturer, importer or distributor, you can apply to get your fuel authorised so your customers can use it in smoke control areas.
Alongside the smoke control area rules, if you sell fuel in England you need to follow the rules which came into force on 1 May 2021.
Fuels that can be authorised
To be authorised for use in UK smoke control areas, fuel must:
- have an average smoke emission of less than 5 grams per hour when tested to the standard (BS3841)
- contain less than 2% sulphur (by dry weight with a 95% confidence limit)
You do not need to apply for authorisation if the fuel is already on the list of authorised fuels.
Unauthorised fuels can be used in some exempt appliances, for example some stoves, fireplaces and boilers.
Smokeless fuels
You do not need to apply if it is any of the following ‘smokeless’ fuels:
- anthracite coal
- semi-anthracite coal
- low volatile steam coal
How to apply
Contact HETAS with the following details about your fuel:
- what it’s made of
- how it’s manufactured
- any testing that’s already been carried out
HETAS will give you feedback about your application and what testing is needed – you may need further testing even if some has already been done.
HETAS Ltd
Product Approvals
Severn House
Unit 5, Newtown Trading Estate
Green Lane
Tewkesbury
GL20 8HD
HETAS Ltd: smokecontrol@hetas.co.uk
After you apply
After you apply, you’ll be told how long it will take to get your fuel certified.
If your fuel meets the requirements it will be authorised and added to the authorised fuels list.
How much it costs
It costs £950 (excluding VAT) to get a fuel authorised.
You’ll also have to arrange and pay for any testing that’s required.
Fines
You could be fined up to £1,000 if you sell unauthorised fuel to customers using ‘non-exempt appliances’ in smoke control areas.
Help and advice
You can contact HETAS with any technical questions about fuel authorisation and the application process, for example about testing methods.
HETAS Ltd: smokecontrol@hetas.co.uk
Contact Defra if you have any general questions about your application.
Defra
Defra Customer Contact Unit
7th Floor
Seacole Building
2 Marsham Street
London
SW1P 4DF
Telephone: 03459 33 55 77
Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm
Defra: defra.helpline@defra.gov.uk
Selling fuel across England
If you’re a fuel manufacturer, importer or distributor selling fuel for domestic use in England, you need to follow rules which came into force in May 2021 to sell fuels legally.
The rules apply across all of England, including smoke control areas, and set out new measures on selling:
Last updated 7 July 2022 + show all updates
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Changed page title to make its purpose clearer, and removed reference to 'new' rules which came into force in May 2021.
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First published.