HKI is actively involved in the field of certification. For example, the HKI quality mark applies to roomheaters fired by solid fuels according to EN 13240, inset appliances (tiled stoves and plaster stoves) according to EN 13229 and slow heat release appliances fired by solid fuels according to EN 15250. In addition, HKI supported the eco-label for fireplaces developed by TÜV SÜD. The aim: to increase the market share of high-quality, sustainable and low-emission fireplaces for solid fuels in accordance with the 1^st BImSchV and to help local authorities comply with the European regulation on air pollution control (PM).

Orientation and transparency when making a purchase decision

When buying a new fireplace, anyone who places particular value on low pollutant emissions will turn to appliances with well-known environmental seals such as the eco-label for fireplaces developed by TÜV SÜD or the Blue Angel, which achieves its low emission value through special equipment to reduce emissions. With both methods, the appliances undergo an extended testing or monitoring procedure for certification, with which the real emission behavior during the combustion of wood is better represented than with the current type testing.  While the Blue Angel is only awarded to industrially manufactured stoves, TÜV SÜD's certification procedure for particularly low-emission fireplaces covers not only stoves but also other types of fireplaces (space heaters, fireplace inserts, and slow heat release appliances, etc.). Clearly formulated and validated measurement methods are important here, which the HKI continues to advocate with the Blue Angel.

The TÜV SÜD certification programme 

The HKI had formulated proposals for evaluation criteria with the aim of verifiably reducing the emissions of single-room heating appliances for wood logs in practical operation.

In practice, the new TÜV SÜD certificate is awarded for wood-burning stoves, fireplace inserts and slow heat release appliances for solid fuels. However, the first prerequisite is proof of compliance with the legal requirements. The certification programme takes into account, among other things, requirements for emissions and efficiency at nominal load and at reduced load, behaviour during the ignition phase and the tightness of the fireplace. In addition to the type test, a control test is also carried out at least once a year in the manufacturer's factory. This ensures that the fireplaces manufactured during ongoing production comply with the certified type. 

A fireplace certified with the TÜV SÜD test mark must also be equipped with a combustion air control/regulation system and/or a downstream electrostatic particle separator. Appliances that receive the TÜV certificate will have improved emission behaviour and higher efficiency in real operation.

Blue Angel for dust separators

At the request of the Environmental Label Jury, award criteria for a "Blue Angel" eco label for dust separators are being drawn up. The criteria apply to hand-fired wood-burning appliances with a storage capacity of up to 260 MJ for storage fires and ground cookers and up to 20 kW nominal heat output for room heaters, fireplace inserts and wood-burning cookers. The HKI was involved in the expert consultation on the award criteria.

The award criteria set requirements for the collection efficiency for total dust, PM10 emissions and the number of particles. The assessment of the collection efficiency for the award criteria is planned according to DIN SPEC 33999:2014.

The basic principle of the eco-label for dust separators is based on the ambitious requirements of the "Blue Angel" for stoves. Here, too, the HKI advocates validated assessments and EU-wide recognized measurement methods.

Quality assurance certification for firewood

Since the quality of wood as a fuel has a very significant influence on clean combustion, the quality label "Kooperation Sauberes Holzfeuer" (Cooperation for Clean Wood Fires) was created together with the Bundesverband Brennholzhandel und Brennholzproduktion (BuVBB) (Federal Association of Firewood Trade and Production). With concrete criteria that must be met in production, wood delivery and customer service. A quality seal that guarantees the buyer high-quality and sustainable firewood for immediate use, with defined standards for wood quality for low-emission and optimised combustion.