In the spring of 2011, introduced in Austria, a new quality standard for pellets. In place of the ÖNORM M7135 comes the quality certification "EN plus". The advantages of the new system: In "EN plus "pellets can build on the customer a complete quality control from production to be in pellet store. This means trouble-free and environmentally friendly operation of the pellet with first-class quality fuel.
The certificate of quality EN plus based on the new European standard EN 14961-2 for wood pellets. EN plus was developed jointly by Austria and the German proPellets Energy Wood and Pellet Association. It is intended to ensure in all of Europe for a consistently high level of quality pellets. Licensee for the new certificate will be the umbrella organization of European pellet industry, the European Pellet Council. The certification itself is carried out by accredited Testing and certification bodies.
An important innovation that comes with EN plus, is it possible to verify not only pellet producers periodically by independent experts (and unannounced), but also that the trade is part of the certification with. This is important because even perfect quality pellets can take by improper storage or handling damage. Commercial enterprises that want to sell EN plus pellets must therefore meet strict quality criteria in the future, ranging from documentation on the storage to the delivery vehicles.
is another innovation that in future 3 quality classes type of pellets is:
- called The A1 Premium high quality pellets with an ash content below 0.7%.
- Class A2 differs from A1 in the first instance by a higher ash content, which may arise from the use of hardwood or bark content in the raw material existence. A2 pellets can be burned for residential pellet boilers also robust. In general, they are but at higher power pellet boilers for residential buildings, hotels and other commercial users are used.
- designated Class B pellets, which are suitable only for industrial use, so for example in power stations. The ash content can - caused by a high amount of beef up to 3%.