Nothing moves quickly or easily in our federal government. Bureaucracies and red tape remain. Ever since the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized the 2015 New Source Performance Standard (NSPS) for wood-burning appliances, the industry has been fighting to fix it – and we are poised to see some of the results of those efforts.
However, nothing has changed yet!

The NSPS finalized in 2015 is still the law of the land and it will be unless the EPA changes it or Congress passes a law that is signed by the President. We’ve seen good progress – the U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill that would extend the deadline for Step 2 and the Senate is considering it, but nothing has changed yet. EPA has announced that they will reopen the rule sometime soon, but nothing has changed yet!

What do you need to know? As the regulations are currently written, there is no sell-through. Non-compliant appliances cannot be sold after May 15, 2020. They cannot be donated. They cannot be given away. HPBA is working hard to change that, but retailers need to know the current rules and plan for that.

What should you do? Pay attention to the labeling – we’ve provided an example of what you need to look for below. Sell your stock of 2015-compliant wood-burning appliances first. Only products with the 2020 permanent label can be sold on or after May 15, 2020. Some products may have a voluntary Burn Wise hangtag to highlight its 2020 status, but this is optional.

How can you help our cause? HPBA is your go-to source for NSPS information. Our information is accurate and current. We are closely monitoring all the action and meeting with members of Congress to advance our industry’s interests. We will provide you with up-to-date information and you can help by talking to your members of Congress or the EPA. We provide templates and easily accessible contact information for members of Congress through our Legislative Action Center.

www.hpba.ac360.aristotleactioncenter.com

What else do you need to know? Everything on your floor and in your warehouse can be inspected by the EPA or a state inspector who is designated by the EPA. Starting on May 15, 2020, if it doesn’t have the 2020 label, it cannot be sold and should not be in your warehouse.

Click here for more information

Retailers should contact their manufacturers for accurate information on which models are legal to sell after 2020.

What can be sold after May 15, 2020?

Step 2 Certified Models: these were tested and certified to Step 2 after May 15, 2015. They may be sold now and after May 15, 2020 for as long as the certificate of compliance remains valid.

• PM Emissions Requirements:
• If the stove was tested using crib fuel: less than or equal to 2.0 g/hr; or
• If the stove was tested using cordwood fuel: less than or equal to 2.5 g/hr

NOTE: Just because a stove currently certified by EPA has an emissions limit less than or equal to 2.0 g/hr or 2.5 g/hr does not necessarily mean it is Step 2 certified. A Step 2 certified product must comply with each of the following requirements:

Click here to dowload guide above.

The HPBA Journal is intended to provide in-depth information to the hearth and outdoor products industries. Statements of fact and opinion are the responsibility of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the officers, board, staff or members of the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association.

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