Review of the Interaction Between the Market Access Principles and England’s Air Quality (Domestic Solid Fuels Standards) Regulations 2020

Why It Matters

The analysis will reveal whether MAP‑driven rules create trade barriers or compliance costs, shaping competition and consumer prices in the UK solid‑fuel sector.

Key Takeaways

• OIM reviews MAP impact on solid fuel market
• Review covers certified and uncertified manufactured solid fuels, house coal
• Joint referral from Defra, Scottish, Welsh, NI governments
• Report due late July 2026 after evidence gathering
• Stakeholders invited to submit evidence via OIM contacts

Pulse Analysis

The Market Access Principles (MAPs) are a cornerstone of the UK’s internal market framework, designed to prevent unjustified barriers between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. By focusing on the Ready‑to‑burn certification scheme, the OIM’s review targets a niche yet essential segment of the energy supply chain: manufactured solid fuels and house coal. These products, used for domestic heating, sit at the intersection of environmental regulation, consumer safety and cross‑border trade, making them a litmus test for how MAPs operate in practice.

For manufacturers, distributors and retailers, the outcome of this review could reshape compliance costs and market strategy. If MAPs are interpreted as imposing divergent national standards, firms may face duplicated testing, labeling and certification requirements, inflating prices for end‑users. Conversely, a finding that MAPs facilitate seamless trade could encourage broader distribution networks, lower retail margins and stimulate investment in cleaner solid‑fuel technologies. The exclusion of heating oil underscores the regulator’s intent to isolate solid‑fuel dynamics, highlighting the sector’s unique regulatory challenges.

The OIM has set a clear timetable: the review opened on 30 April 2026, evidence will be collected through July, and a non‑binding advisory report will be published in late July. By inviting input from the entire supply chain, the OIM aims to capture real‑world friction points and propose proportionate adjustments. The findings will not only inform UK domestic policy but also signal to European partners how the UK balances market access with environmental standards, a critical consideration as the continent moves toward greener heating solutions.