Rules will change on 1 May 2021 on:

• who can sell coal

• how you can sell coal

• when you must stop selling coal

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Coal merchants

• To sell traditional house coal (also known as bituminous coal) from 1 May 2021 you must be registered as a member of the Approved Coal Merchants scheme.

• All sales of traditional house coal will be banned in England from 1 May 2023.

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Delivering traditional house coal

• You can only sell traditional house coal loose or in open bags from 1 May 2021 in England.

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Advice to customers

• You should tell your customers that traditional house coal will no longer be available from 1 May 2023.

• You should advise your customers between 1 May 2021 and 1 May 2023 on the best manufactured solid fuel for them to switch to.

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Retailers

• Retail outlets in England including supermarkets and garage forecourts must not sell traditional house coal from 1 May 2021.

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Low smoke (‘smokeless’) fules

Coal merchants and retailers can continue to sell:

• anthracite coal

• semi-anthracite coal

• low volatile steam coal

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Smoke control areas

• You must not sell traditional house coal in smoke control areas across the UK unless used in an approved appliance.

• After the 1 May 2023 you will not be allowed to sell any traditional house coal in England including in smoke control areas.