Bruce Allen, HETAS chief executive commented: “The focus of this year’s Clean Air Day is ‘Air pollution dirties every organ in your body. Take steps to improve your health and the planet’. We know that many have concerns about the impact of domestic woodburning on air quality and that’s why HETAS is dedicated to push towards cleaner burning. This includes advising governments on policy to enact largescale change and taking opportunities to share our message with stove owners and the wider public.”

The HETAS Cleaner Choice scheme launched earlier this year and has been designed to clearly signpost buyers to the cleanest-burning appliances. While focused on particulate emissions, approval also provides assurance that the appliance listed meets all the relevant regulations in the UK, including safety and performance requirements, correct operation, and correct installation for HETAS registrants.

As part of HETAS’ role in supporting governments, it is one of a number of representatives from the domestic combustion sector that regularly meet with the Scottish policy team to help in delivery of the short and long term goals set out in ‘Cleaner Air for Scotland 2 – Towards a Better Place for Everyone’ (CAFS2). This is Scotland’s second air quality strategy, detailing how the Scottish Government and its partner organisations propose to further reduce air pollution to protect human health and fulfil Scotland’s legal responsibilities over the period 2021-2026. 

HETAS is working to bring the benefits of proven schemes such as Woodsure quality assurance and the DEFRA-backed ‘Ready to Burn’ certification to Scottish policy as part of their key actions, both short and long term. Bruce continues; “We are keen to help policy become action and the results of existing schemes in England demonstrate what could be achieved if these were rolled out to Scotland and other devolved UK governments. Ultimately, we all breathe the same air and while there may be land borders, there are no borders in the air and particulate matter can move freely. If we all work to the same laws, standards and guidelines then we can truly make a difference to air quality across the UK.”