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FAQ
Soon there will be new European product standards for wood pellets, which will replace national standards.
Will DIN CERTCO react to the new regulations with the DINplus mark?
Naturally our DINplus certification will be adapted to the European requirements. The DIN certification marks are issued on the basis of normative documents. The DIN EN 14961 is a normative document.
ENplus is a new certification system this year. How will that affect DINplus?
The trust and acceptance of all industry stakeholders are required to establish a test mark in the market. The DINplus standard has earned a serious reputation in recent years, and is the outstanding test mark for wood pellets in the national and international pellet industry. Many boiler manufacturers still recommend the use of wood pellets of DINplus quality today. By adapting to the European standard requirements, the DINplus mark will retain its significance.
In many of our recent conversations with manufacturers and dealers, we found out how much uncertainty there already is throughout the entire industry.
We deeply regret this development.
DINplus will not - as the public might fear - be replaced by a new certification system.
What separates ENplus from DINplus?
The new European standard distinguishes among three quality grades of wood pellets. Our experience has demonstrated that certification of many different quality grades for a product is problematic. In many cases, it tends to be a detriment to transparency, since it overwhelms most end-customers. DIN CERTCO has therefore always resolved to focus on demand, and to define its certifications according to functional use as has been the case until now. The DINplus quality mark is available for high-quality wood pellets, and is equivalent to quality grade A1 of the standard. The test mark DIN-Geprüft standard grade B is issued for industrial pellets. The EN plus certification system will offer grades A1, A2 and B.
DIN CERTCO offers certification of the entire process chain (producers and retailers). The dual system of this certification offers particular advantages to those involved:
- Broad flexibility in selecting a partner
- Focussing on each business activity (producer, retailer) when monitoring the company
According to our knowledge, within the EN plus certification process, only the manufacturer is monitored. The manufacturers need to commit themselves to retailers who maintain their "certification" on the basis of a mere statement of intent. No de facto monitoring of the retailers takes place - this is not the case at a DIN-Geprüft Qualified Enterprises Pellet Logistics.
What benefit do manufacturers, retailers and consumers derive from DINplus certification?
DIN CERTCO has proven its neutrality, competence and independence as a certification body through multiple accreditations. Moreover, DIN CERTCO has been a partner of the pellet industry for many years by developing quality standards. The fact that the DINplus standard served as a basis for the development of the new European standards and is reflected in the Bundesimmissionsschutzverordnung [Federal Immission Control Ordinance], speaks to the acceptance of this certification in the industry, and worldwide.
Thanks to our closeness to the DIN Deutsches Institut für Normung, we are not only the sole certification body worldwide that is authorised to issue the internationally recognised DIN mark. We have also been in a position until now to react quickly to changes in the standard. For instance, an international ISO-standardisation is currently taking place in parallel with the European standardisation for wood pellets. DIN CERTCO monitors pellet producers in more than 20 countries around the world.
When will the new European standard be published?
The DIN EN 14961-2 will probably not be published before the beginning of 2011. Due to our membership in the competent standardisation committee, however, we already know today what will be included in the standard.
When will the first DINplus wood pellets in line with European requirements be available on the market?
Pellet manufacturers are currently preparing to adapt their production to the new regulations. The first specific applications for certification according to European requirements have already been submitted to us, so as early as April 2010, the first "European" wood pellets could be on the market.
How will I know which wood pellets meet the DINplus requirements?
Every manufacturer of DINplus wood pellets will receive a certificate from DIN CERTCO. Moreover, you can consult the DIN CERTCO website at www.dincertco.de to research the certified manufacturers and providers from an up-to-date list.
What should be done if DINplus wood pellets offered on the market are not on your list?
DINplus certification is an open system, offering everyone - including consumers - the opportunity to report abuse of the marks to DIN CERTCO. Because the DINplus mark is a registered trademark, these abuses will be prosecuted by DIN CERTCO in accordance with legal provisions.
How high are the costs for DINplus certification?
The location of the production site to be certified will primarily determine the costs of the certification process. Based on this, the certification costs can vary substantially.
Certification of a production site in Germany typically runs from 2,000 EUR to 4,000 EUR annually. Of course, we will draw up a detailed offer regarding the certification costs for any company that is interested.
