How to Check If Your Stove Is DEFRA Approved: Cambridge Guide 2026

With Cambridge’s new city-wide Smoke Control Area starting in January 2026, one of the most important questions Cambridge residents are asking is: “How do I know if my stove is DEFRA approved?” Checking your DEFRA approval status determines whether you can continue burning seasoned wood or need to switch to smokeless fuels only.

As local chimney professionals who’ve been helping Cambridge residents check stove compliance for over 40 years, we know this can seem complicated. The good news is that checking your DEFRA approval status is straightforward once you know where to look and what to check.

Why DEFRA Approval Status Matters in Cambridge

DEFRA approval (also called “smoke control exempt”) is your ticket to burning seasoned wood in your stove in Cambridge’s new Smoke Control Area. Here’s why it makes such a difference:

DEFRA-Approved Stoves Can Burn:

• Properly seasoned wood (under 20% moisture content)
• All approved smokeless fuels
• Both options give you maximum flexibility

Non-DEFRA Approved Stoves Can Only Burn:

• Approved smokeless fuels only (if multi-fuel design)
• May need conversion kits or replacement (if wood-only design)
• No wood burning permitted

Cambridge’s Smoke Control Area covers all 14 wards – Abbey, Arbury, Castle, Cherry Hinton, Coleridge, East Chesterton, King’s Hedges, Market, Newnham, Petersfield, Queen Edith’s, Romsey, Trumpington, and West Chesterton – so this affects every stove owner in the city.

What DEFRA Approval Actually Means

DEFRA approval means your stove has been independently tested and certified to produce very low smoke emissions when burning wood. These appliances meet strict emissions standards that ensure they burn wood cleanly enough to be permitted in Smoke Control Areas.

Key Benefits of DEFRA-Approved Stoves:

• Designed for cleaner, more efficient combustion
• Lower emissions and better air quality impact
• Full legal compliance when burning seasoned wood
• Generally more efficient fuel use

Important Limitations Still Apply:

• Wood must be properly seasoned (under 20% moisture)
• Wet or poor-quality wood is not permitted
• Household waste and treated materials remain prohibited
• Correct operation is essential for clean burning

Where to Find DEFRA Approval on Your Stove

The first place to look for DEFRA approval information is on your stove itself. Most manufacturers include clear markings on compliant appliances.

Where to Look on Your Stove

Front of the Stove:	Check around the door frameLook for metal plates or stickersSome markings may be on the glass door frame
Back of the Stove:	Behind the stove (you may need to pull it out slightly)On the rear panel or flue connection areaSometimes on the base of the stove
Inside the Stove:	On the firebox wallsAround the baffle platesOn removable components

What Markings to Look For

Current Standard Markings:	“DEFRA Approved””Smoke Control Exempt””SIA Ecodesign Ready” (most modern standard)”DEFRA Exempt” with a reference number
Older Markings (Still Valid):	“Smokeless Zone Approved””Clean Air Act Exempt”DEFRA exemption numbers (format: SE-XXXX-XX)

What These Numbers Mean: DEFRA exemption numbers follow a specific format like “SE-2018-01”. The “SE” stands for “Smoke Exempt”, followed by the year and a sequential number. If you find such a number, your stove is definitely DEFRA approved.

DEFRA Database Search: Cambridge Stove Compliance Check

The DEFRA database is the definitive source for checking stove approval status. This online tool contains every stove model that’s been certified for use in Smoke Control Areas.

How to Use the DEFRA Database

Website: www.smokecontrol.defra.gov.uk/appliances.php 

Search Method 1: By Manufacturer

1. Select your stove manufacturer from the dropdown menu
2. Browse the list of approved models
3. Look for your specific model number
4. Check the exemption details and conditions

Search Method 2: By Model Number

1. Use the search function if available
2. Enter your exact model number
3. Verify the manufacturer matches
4. Review any specific operating conditions

What the Database Tells You:

• Exact model approval status
• DEFRA exemption number
• Specific conditions of approval
• Date of certification
• Any limitations or special requirements

Understanding Database Results

If Your Stove is Listed:	Congratulations! Your stove is DEFRA approvedNote any specific conditions mentionedYou can burn seasoned wood and smokeless fuelsSave or print the database entry for your records
If Your Stove Isn’t Listed:	Your stove is not DEFRA approvedYou can only burn approved smokeless fuelsCheck with your stove manufacturer if conversion kits are availableConsider replacement if wood burning is important to you

Check Your Stove Documentation for DEFRA Approval

Your stove’s original documentation often contains valuable compliance information that can confirm DEFRA approval status.

What Documents to Check

User Manual or Installation Guide:

• Look for compliance statements
• Check technical specifications sections
• Search for “Smoke Control Area” mentions
• Review any certification information

Original Sales Documentation:

• Purchase receipts or invoices
• Product specification sheets
• Manufacturer’s compliance certificates
• Installer’s documentation

Warranty Paperwork:

• Product registration details
• Compliance certifications
• Model-specific information
• Manufacturer contact details

What to Look For in Documents

Compliance Statements:

• “Suitable for use in Smoke Control Areas”
• “DEFRA approved for wood burning”
• “Smoke Control exempt under the Clean Air Act”
• References to specific exemption numbers

Technical Specifications:

• Emissions data showing compliance levels
• References to testing standards
• Certification mark information
• Approval body statements

Contact Manufacturer for DEFRA Confirmation

If you can’t find clear information through the previous methods, contacting the manufacturer directly is often the most reliable way to confirm DEFRA approval status.

How to Contact Manufacturers Effectively

Information to Prepare:

• Exact model number (from the stove plate)
• Serial number if visible
• Year of purchase or installation
• Clear photos of any markings on the stove

Questions to Ask:

• “Is my [model number] stove DEFRA approved for use in Smoke Control Areas?”
• “Can you provide the DEFRA exemption number for this model?”
• “Are there any specific conditions for burning wood in this stove?”
• “Do you have conversion kits available if it’s not approved?”

Manufacturer Resources

Manufacturer Websites:

• Look for compliance or certification sections
• Search for your specific model
• Download technical data sheets
• Access compliance certificates

Customer Service:

• Most manufacturers have knowledgeable technical teams
• They can provide definitive answers about specific models
• Often able to email compliance certificates
• Can advise on conversion kit availability

What If You Can’t Identify Your Stove?

Sometimes stove markings are unclear, missing, or you simply don’t know the manufacturer. Here are practical solutions:

Using Image Recognition

Google Lens or Similar Tools:

1. Take clear, well-lit photos of your stove
2. Include any visible markings or distinctive features
3. Upload to Google’s image search or lens function
4. Look through results to identify manufacturer and model

Online Stove Forums:

• Post photos on stove enthusiast forums
• Include as much detail as possible about the stove
• Community members are often expert at identification
• Always verify any information through official sources

Once you’ve identified the manufacturer, you can then contact them directly for definitive confirmation of DEFRA approval status.