On 1 April 2022 the Journal Officiel published the final versions of the decree and the implementing order of the loi climat et résilience (Climate and Resilience Act) concerning wood fuels.
Décret n° 2022-446 of 30 March 2022 sets out the information to be given with each delivery of logs, such as the species, the moisture content, information on good practice for using the fuel, and good storage practice.
As a reminder, two display categories in particular were created for the fuel:
- ‘ready to use’: moisture content below 23%
- ‘to be dried before use’: moisture content above 23%
The Arrêté of 30 March 2022 comes into force on 1 September 2023 and sets the technical criteria for kindling and small-quantity deliveries.
In particular, for sales of logs in volumes under 2 m3, it prohibits a moisture content above 23%.
The reasoning behind this ban is that households buying less than 2 m3 presumably have no room to store their wood, and even less to dry it for 12 to 18 months before use.
Which backs up the recommendations stove and fireplace installers give their customers to ensure their appliance works properly.
References:
- Décret n° 2022-446 du 30 mars 2022 relatif aux informations générales données par les distributeurs de combustibles solides destinés au chauffage auprès des utilisateurs non professionnels, concernant les conditions appropriées de stockage et d’utilisation afin de limiter l’impact de leur combustion sur la qualité de l’air (decree on the general information to be given by distributors of solid heating fuels to non-professional users on appropriate storage and use, to limit the impact of their combustion on air quality) (www.legifrance.gouv.fr)
- Arrêté du 30 mars 2022 relatif aux critères techniques auxquels doivent répondre certaines catégories de combustibles solides mis sur le marché et destinés au chauffage, afin de limiter l’impact de leur combustion sur la qualité de l’air (order on the technical criteria to be met by certain categories of solid heating fuels placed on the market, to limit the impact of their combustion on air quality) (www.legifrance.gouv.fr)