BSL Fuel Quality Requirements for Self-Suppliers
17 December 2021
Fuel Quality is coming to the BSL
This guidance is specifically for self-suppliers on the Biomass Suppliers List.
Click here for guidance for commercial suppliers.
Early in 2021 legislation was introduced that made a number of changes to the Renewable Heat Incentive. The changes to the RHI which impact accredited Biomass Suppliers List (BSL) fuel suppliers come into effect on the 1st April 2022.
The legislation places requirements on both self-suppliers AND commercial suppliers (Producers, Traders and Producer-Traders). All suppliers should take action now to ensure they can comply with the legislative requirements by the 1st April 2022 implementation date.
Revisions to the Regulations
The Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme and Renewable Heat Incentive Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2021 were laid before Parliament on the 25th January 2021. The legislative changes for BSL authorised fuel suppliers are identified in Schedule 4A.
In order to meet fuel quality standard EN 15234-1: 2011, ISO 9001: 2015 or EN ISO 17225-4: 2014 or an equivalent standard, suppliers must be certified by the Woodsure Certification Scheme or an equivalent certification scheme as meeting the standard in paragraph 2 or 3. For pellets, they must meet the ENplus A1 standard or an equivalent standard.
This addition to the RHI regulation requires anyone with BSL authorised fuels to now take action in order to comply ahead of the 1st April 2022 requirements or fuels will be delisted from the BSL.
Getting Certified – Self Suppliers
Woodsure will be publishing its bespoke route for self-suppliers to produce a quality manual and application process early in 2022. Self-suppliers will be provided with an affordable route to demonstrate compliance with the legislative requirement. Domestic self-suppliers may be subject to random fuel sample analysis, and non-domestic self-suppliers will require an annual fuel sample test.
The BSL Administrators will be contacting all self-suppliers early in 2022 with detailed guidance on how to comply with the forthcoming legislative requirements.
Evidence of meeting the requirements via an equivalent standard or certification scheme should be submitted to [email protected]. The BSL Administrators are not responsible for assessing the suitability of equivalent standards or schemes.
Guidance on compliance for commercial suppliers is now in place.
Get in touch
To find out more about the changing requirements you can contact the BSL Helpdesk on 01684 278188 or email [email protected].
Supporting Notes
Guidance on what type of supplier you are can be found on the BSL website:
Self-Suppliers
A Self-Supplier is a supplier who uses their own wood to fuel their own biomass boiler. Self-Suppliers are not able to sell their fuel to anyone else. They use their Biomass Suppliers List (BSL) authorisation to claim their Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) payments.
Commercial Suppliers
There are three types of commercial suppliers on the Biomass Suppliers List (BSL): Producer, Trader and Producer-Trader. All three are allowed to sell their fuel to a third party, however, they do not have to.
