Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) has commenced a review of Victoria’s environmental policy on air quality impacts from wood heaters.
EPA Manager of Policy and Regulation, Dan Keely, said the review would focus on incorporating into Victoria’s policy the latest output and efficiency standard (Australian Standard AS/NZS 4012:2014) for newly manufactured and sold solid fuel heaters.
He said the policy already incorporates the emission standard AS/NZS 4013:2014.
“We’ll also be looking at the best way to ensure that newly manufactured and sold solid fuel heaters meet these standards, and that manufacturers and suppliers of solid fuel heaters can demonstrate that their products are compliant,” Mr Keely said.
EPA is encouraging anyone who might be impacted by changes to the Waste Management Policy (Solid Fuel Heaters), and especially those in the wood heater industry, to provide feedback.
People interested in submitting information can email solidfuel.heaters@epa.vic.gov.au. Any information submitted to the review may be made public, unless clearly marked as confidential.
The community and interested stakeholders will have further opportunities to provide feedback in 2017/18.
More information is available on EPA's website.