29.03.23 – Ready to Burn Fuels, Violence Reduction Alliance

With the rising cost of living, many households have turned to wood-burning stoves in a bid to reduce their energy costs.   As a result of the increased popularity in wood fired stoves, Staffordshire County Council’s Trading Standards Service is working with businesses to make sure that only acceptable fuel is being sold.  Only fuels marked with the Ready to Burn certification and logo should be used. This shows both customers and sellers that the wood fuel has been properly dried out and contains less than 20 per cent moisture.  Burning wet wood creates smoke and harmful particulates, which are bad for people’s health and the environment.  It can also damage the stove and chimney and is an inefficient way to heat the home.

Simon Tagg, Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure and Climate Change at Staffordshire County Council said: “The county council is committed to tackling climate change, improving our environment, and making Staffordshire more sustainable.

“Using dry, ready to burn wood, logs & briquettes are a simple way to reduce your impact on the environment whilst improving the efficiency of any appliance. The new rules are a positive step and means that businesses know the products they are selling are legal and best for the environment.  People should look out for and only buy products with the Ready to Burn logo.”

The new rules were introduced as part of the Air Quality (Domestic Solid Fuels Standards) Regulations 2020 which restrict the sale of certain solid fuels.  Manufactured solid fuels are also included in the legislation and must be certified for use, meaning that they must meet certain emission limits, and can only be sold if they are accompanied by the manufacturer’s name, product certification number and the ‘Ready to Burn’ logo.

Further guidance for businesses on the sale of solid fuel and wood fuel is available on the Business Companion Website at: https://www.businesscompanion.info/en/quick-guides/weights-and-measures/sale-of-solid-fuel-and-wood-fuel

People with concerns about the goods or services they receive from a business should contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0808 223 1133 for advice.

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Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent are safer places than other areas of the country.  It’s still important to improve this by stopping bad things from happening and getting worse.

A survey has been developed by the Violence Reduction Alliance to understand the views and concerns of young people regarding violence.

The findings of the survey will inform the development of a strategy, identify support required locally for young people and help shape future awareness campaigns.

The survey can be individually completed by any young people aged between 11 and 25.  It can also be completed as a group and part of a school-based session.

There is also an opportunity for 1-2-1 or small group conversations with young people who have been impacted by violence and can therefore provide more information around their experiences.  If you and your organisation are interested in hosting or facilitating a discussion with young people, please get in touch.

Please click here to access the survey. The survey will be open until midnight on Sunday 16 April 2023.

If you have any questions or issues accessing the online survey, please contact either Nic Edmonds via nic@staffscvys.org.uk or Phil Pusey via phil@staffscvys.org.uk.

Please click here for more information on the Violence Reduction Alliance.