DEFRA & Smoke Control Areas
Under the Clean Air Act 1993, it is an
offence to emit smoke from any chimney,
fixed boiler or furnace if located in a
designated smoke control area. It is also an
offence to burn an 'unauthorised fuel' for use within a smoke control area unless
it is used in an exempt appliance.
HETAS lists a variety of solid fuel exempt appliances in the official HETAS guide to approved wood and solid mineral fuel burning products and services. These appliances have passed tests to confirm they are capable of burning an unauthorised or inherently smoky solid fuel without emitting smoke into the air. Exempted appliances can be found in the guide with a † after their name and appliances are also stated '(Smoke Exempt)' on the interactive web-guide.
For more information about smoke exemption or to find your nearest local authority designated area then please visit the DEFRA website at;
http://smokecontrol.defra.gov.uk/index.php
Defra has worked with DECC, Ofgem and Industry to agree a paper which sets out the mechanism for ensuring that Renewable Heat Incentive financial support is only given to biomass boilers capable of complying with emission limits, read the report more through the following link:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/quality/industrial/other-regulation
