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Why We Are In Love With Defra Approved (And You Should Too!)
What is a Defra Approved Stove?

A defra-approved stove is wood-burning stove that has been approved by the UK Government Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. This permits them to be used in Smoke Control Areas within the UK.

Defra is an English government department responsible for environmental protection and food production, as well as standards agriculture, as well as an thriving economy of the countryside. Defra also sets solid protocols to deal with the spread of notifiable diseases.

Approved by Defra

Defra approved wood stoves and multi-fuel stoves are compliant with the government's emission standards for use in Smoke Control Areas. These new standards do not prohibit the use of wood stoves in these areas, but only restrict the amount of smoke they can produce while in operation.

At ESSE we are pleased to carry a large range of defra-approved stoves from the top manufacturers, including Arada, Burley, Parkray and Stovax. All of our stoves that are Defra-approved come with the most modern technology for clean burning. They come with secondary and tertiary systems that cut down on emissions. why not find out more means less smoke coming out of the chimney, and also leaves a smaller ecological footprint.

Defra approved disinfectants can be used to clean and disinfect hard surfaces, including buildings, farm equipment, vehicles and crates. The Animal and Plant Health Agency maintains the Defra approved list of disinfectants. They charge a fee for new back-to-back approval of trade names. APHA can also test the effectiveness of a product at any time. The results can be added to the list of approved disinfectants without the need to submit an actual sample.

Approved for Smoke Control Areas

A lot of areas in the UK are classed as Smoke Control Areas, meaning you can only use fuels that are authorised or exempt appliances. This is in order to reduce air pollution caused by burning unauthorised fuels that cause nuisance smoke and ash builds up. To avoid violating the law and getting fined, you should only burn wood logs in an approved DEFRA stove, fire or fireplace. Stovax have a wide range of wood and multi fuel fireplaces, stoves and fires that are DEFRA approved for use in Smoke Control Areas.

The stoves have passed the strict DEFRA emissions tests and are able to meet the low smoke levels permitted in Smoke Control Areas. They can be used to burn various fuels, including logs, anthracite and semi-anthracite Briquettes, or manufactured smokeless fuels, such as heat logs. You can also use them to burn electricity, gas or low volatile steam, or a mix of these. You can find an exhaustive list of approved fuels on the DEFRA website.

Look for the DEFRA Logo on the website of the manufacturer or in their showrooms if you are considering the stove. If they have the logo then you are aware that the stove is Defra approved for use in smoke controlled zones and is able to burn wood in these areas. You will still need to use an appropriate chimney liner, however the narrower 5kW stoves are typically easier and cheaper to fit than larger models as they can be used with a 5" twin wall stainless steel liner instead of the standard 6" liner.

You may be able get an authorization from your local authority if you do not have a DEFRA-approved stove. This will allow you to burn fuels not approved for use in your home. You'll need to check the DEFRA website to determine whether an exemption is available. There are other rules to be followed, such as installing a smoke alarm. You must also adhere to the rules of Smoke Control Areas if you have an outdoor barbecue or garden chiminea.

Approved for Smokeless fuels

In order to be defra approved, wood burners must be able to use authorised smokeless fuels without causing excessive emissions. These fuels are often called 'Smokeless Coal' or 'Heat Logs and have passed stringent tests to ensure that they meet the requirements set out by Defra for Smoke Control Areas. These fuels are a great alternative to real logs as they are cleaner and produce less smoke than seasoned logs.

Before the smoke control zones were erected residents were allowed to burn whatever they wanted. This led to air pollution and health problems for those who lived in urban areas. Since the regulations were put in place, Defra worked to reduce the amount of pollution in these areas. They achieved this by regulating the types of fuel that can be used in fireplaces and stoves.

If you live in a smoke-free zone, it is essential that your stove be Defra approved to avoid heavy fines. However, even if you don't live in a smoke controlled area it's still worthwhile to invest in a defra exempt stove as they are better for the environment and the chimney system too.

Defra approves wood burning stoves and multi fuel stoves that have been tested for compliance with the UK's Smoke Control Areas legislation. If you're buying a new stove, make sure it has an Defra approved badge. This will ensure that it meets all the legal requirements.

There are two primary ways to become Defra approved. The first way to become Defra-approved is to have your stove and fuels tested. This is an extremely expensive procedure. You can also purchase a Defra-approved stove and use only fuels that are approved by Defra. It is more affordable to use an approved stove from Defra, but you should still check with your local council first if you are not sure if you reside in a zone of smoke control.

In England in England, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is responsible for environmental protection and control including air quality. It also represents the United Kingdom at international negotiations on agricultural, environmental and fisheries issues. The department was established in 2001 through the merger of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions and a portion of the Home Office. The department is overseen by a cabinet member who is directly accountable to the Prime Minister.

Approved for Multi Fuel Stoves

DEFRA approved stoves are tested for low emissions and efficiency. These stoves are suitable for smoke-free areas and can burn wood, coal and logs. They are available in a variety of sizes and styles and can be freestanding or inset. They are perfect for those who wish to reduce their carbon footprint and save money on their heating costs.

The Defra Logo is easily recognizable and widely used in the industry. The Defra logo can be seen on the title and specification sheets of numerous stoves. It indicates that the stove is able to burn approved fuels in smoke-controlled areas. In some cases the stove may also sport an SE (smoke exempt) logo that indicates that the stove can be legally installed in a smoke-control area when burning fuels that are approved.

Wood burning stoves that have been inspected by Defra provide the most recent technologies for clean combustion and are often more efficient. A number of top stove makers like Arada, Burley, Parkray and Stovax have created secondary and tertiary combustion systems to further increase the efficiency of their stoves.


If you live in an area where smoking is controlled and you are not using a DEFRA-approved cooking appliance you could be subject to an amount of fine up to PS1000. To avoid this, you should ensure that the stove is DEFRA approved prior to purchasing it.

A DEFRA-approved stove is the most environmentally friendly method of heating your home. Whether you live in a smoke control area or not, an DEFRA approved stove can help you save money on your energy bills and will prevent nuisance smoke from causing trouble for neighbors. We have a large choice of wood and multifuel stoves that are DEFRA approved and you'll be able to find the perfect one for your home. There are a few models that are both DEFRA-approved and Eco Design-2022 compliant so you can have the best of both! Browse the range to discover what's on offer.

Website: https://www.fireplacesandstove.com/categories/defra-stoves