On 22 October 2026, the Polish Ministry of Climate and Environment published three draft regulations in the Government Legislation Centre in connection with the proposed amendment to the Act on the Monitoring and Control of Fuel Quality, proceeding as Parliamentary Paper No. 3134.
Together with the amendment, they are intended to create a quality control framework for pellets, briquettes and wood chips intended for use in households or combustion installations with a rated thermal input below 1 MW.
Fuel testing and quality certificates
The proposed amendment requires entities placing fuel on the market to have it tested by an accredited laboratory and issue a quality certificate.
Each purchaser is to receive a certified copy of the certificate together with a copy of the test results, while the certificate and test results must be retained for two years.
A business that does not alter the quality parameters of the fuel will be exempt from repeating the laboratory tests. It will, however, still have to issue a quality certificate.
Failure to issue a certificate, providing information inconsistent with the actual characteristics of the fuel, or failing to provide a copy of the certificate may result in a financial penalty ranging from PLN 10,000 to PLN 100,000, depending on the value of the fuel placed on the market.
1. New quality requirements
The first draft regulation sets quality requirements for six categories of solid biofuels:
The thresholds refer to classes established under EN ISO 17225 standards. For example, A1 wood pellets may contain no more than 0.7% ash on a dry basis.
The new rules are intended to replace the regulation of 8 May 2025, which currently covers only briquettes and pellets made from biomass originating from trees and shrubs.
2. A standard quality certificate
The second draft introduces a standard form of quality certificate covering twelve parameters.
The relevant values will be based on tests performed by an accredited laboratory, including information on measurement uncertainty.
The certificate will also identify the certification scheme or test results confirming compliance with the applicable quality requirements.
3. Sampling rules and testing methods
The third draft regulates how samples are collected and how individual parameters are tested.
Samples are to be taken from different parts of a batch and then divided into a control sample and a test sample.
For each of the twelve parameters, the draft specifies an appropriate testing method based on PN-EN ISO standards.
For chlorine and sulphur testing, a laboratory may use its own procedure provided that it is fully covered by its accreditation and fully compliant with PN-EN ISO 16994.
The new obligations are intended to apply together with the amendment
The regulations are expected to apply together with the amendment to the Act, which is generally intended to enter into force six months after publication.
Importantly, the draft regulations do not provide for a separate sell-through period for existing stock.
Producers, importers and sellers should therefore prepare their procedures, documentation and relationships with laboratories and suppliers sufficiently in advance.
What should businesses review now?
Businesses should carry out a review of their solid fuel portfolio against the proposed new quality thresholds and determine which entity in the supply chain will be responsible for commissioning tests and issuing certificates.
It is also worth checking the scope of accreditation of laboratories and reviewing contracts with suppliers, particularly foreign suppliers, in light of the new quality and documentation requirements.
The key conclusion is straightforward: the proposed rules create a comprehensive quality control system for solid biofuels, combining technical requirements, mandatory testing, quality certificates and detailed sampling rules.
Please contact us if your organisation requires support in preparing for the new requirements concerning solid biofuels.
We support businesses in analysing the new quality requirements for pellets, briquettes and wood chips, identifying obligations within the supply chain and preparing procedures for testing and quality certificates. We also help review supplier agreements and the accreditation scope of laboratories.
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