On Wednesday 25 June 2025, a meeting of the Consultation Forum on the upcoming revision of Regulation (EU) 2015/1185 on the ecodesign of solid fuel-fired local heating appliances will take place in Brussels. On the agenda are proposals that could have a major impact on the future of green wood heating across Europe.
The European Commission is proposing a major tightening of the conditions for placing local heaters on the market. While the Association for Ecological Wood Heating (AEVD) supports the objective of improving air quality and protecting public health, it considers the proposal to revise the Ecodesign Regulation to be unbalanced, in places unsubstantiated and ultimately counterproductive.
Below we summarise the key reservations and suggestions made by the AEVD in response to the material published by the European Commission in May 2025:
1. Speculative figures on health impacts
The EC proposal is based on estimates of deaths caused by PM2.5 from burning wood. However, according to the State Institute of Health and the scientific community, current methods do not allow such specific calculations. The reasoning behind the proposal is thus based on very shaky foundations.
2. The situation in the Czech Republic is improving - thanks to the replacement of old heaters
Limit for annual concentration of PM2.5 was exceeded in 2021 only on 0.3 % of the territory of the Czech Republic, especially in industrial regions with a high share of fossil fuels. The statistics of the Czech Hydrometeorological Office (CHMI) confirm a significant improvement in the air quality due to the replacement of old boilers. Yet the EC proposal ignores these positive trends and regional differences.
3. Forecast of sales decline is unrealistic
The proposal assumes that the new requirements will lead to only a slight decrease in wood heater sales (about 5 %) by 2050. This is nonsensical according to the AEVD. The reality will be much harsher - up to 70% decrease. What's more, people will keep their existing heaters and continue to use them even if they don't meet any emission limits. The result? Emissions will stay about the same, or even increase.
4. EN 16510 is already strict enough
Manufacturers have invested heavily in development and testing according to the new EN 16510 standard. Further tightening would lead to unnecessary costs, more expensive products and, again, people preferring to stick with their old stoves.
5. Electronic regulation? It doesn't always make sense
The requirement to have an electronically controlled air supply means dependence on electricity - and therefore a risk during power cuts. AEVD demands that customers have a choice: modern electronics for those interested, but maintaining the ability to burn cleanly and efficiently without electricity. Especially in areas without a stable connection or for low-income households.
6. Wood is both environmentally friendly and affordable
It should not be forgotten that wood is the cheapest domestic fuel with the lowest carbon footprint. And above all, it is renewable - if used properly, it is part of the solution, not the problem.
What we propose
The AEVD proposes a balanced approach:
- Support the replacement of old heaterswhich account for the largest share of emissions.
- Set realistic terms and conditionsto give producers and households time to adapt.
- Invest in education the public about proper wood heating - because the right operator can reduce emissions right away, without large investments.
- Preserve the availability of modern heaters also for rural and low-income households.
AEVD has prepared an educational plan and is ready to develop and implement it in cooperation with the state administration. We believe that only smart, realistic and informed action will lead to clean air - without households losing access to clean and affordable heating.
