Synopsis
These regulations brought further sections of the Environment Act 2021 into force in Wales.
The Welsh Ministers now publish and maintain lists of authorised fuels and exempted fireplaces authorised for use in smoke control areas. New legislation is no longer required to update these lists.
Summary
The Environment Act 2021 (Commencement No. 3) (Wales) Regulations 2025 brought further sections of the Environment Act 2021 into force in Wales on 16 April 2025.
This legislation applies in Wales only.
What has changed?
The sections brought into force amend the authorised fuels and exempted fireplace regime under the Clean Air Act 1993 in Wales.
The Welsh ministers are required to publish and maintain a list of authorised fuels for use in smoke control areas.
The Welsh Ministers are also authorised to exempt specified fireplaces from prohibitions in smoke control areas. The Welsh Ministers are required to publish and maintain a list of exempted fireplaces, including any conditions applicable.
Impacts on Other Legislation
Powers to designate authorised fuels and exempt fireplaces in Wales previously required regulations to be made for this purpose. As a result, the Smoke Control Areas (Exempted Classes of Fireplace) (Wales) Order 2017 and Smoke Control Areas (Authorised Fuels) (Wales) Regulations 2017 no longer apply.
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