Widespread Breaches of Solid Fuel Regulations Uncovered in Dublin Region

Findings revealed in a report on Air Quality requested by Green Party Councillor for Dundrum, Robert Jones, show a Dublin-wide sampling and analysis initiative indicates that most coal being sold by retailers does not meet legal sulphur limits, posing a major threat to air quality and public health. 

The report from Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (DLR), on behalf of the four Dublin local authorities, has uncovered widespread non-compliance with sulphur content regulations in solid fuels being sold across the capital. 

Under the nationwide regulations introduced by the Green Party while in Government in 2022, strict sulphur limits were put in place to reduce harmful emissions from solid fuels, a leading contributor to poor air quality and respiratory illnesses. However, DLR’s Environmental Enforcement Section lead a Dublin wide campaign to sample solid fuels and found most of the coal samples tested were in breach of these regulations. The results raise serious concerns about the effectiveness of the regulations and the integrity of the solid fuel supply chain.

"These findings are extremely concerning and demonstrate that high-pollution fuels are still being sold and burned, despite strict regulations being in place," said Cllr. Jones. "Non-compliant fuels contribute significantly to air pollution, which has well-documented health impacts, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions. Stronger enforcement and accountability within the supply chain are urgently needed."

In the report to Councillor Jones, DLR's Senior Executive Scientist advised the results of the Dublin wide analysis have been shared with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of the Environment. The scale of non-compliance also raises serious concerns about potential fraud in the supply chain, where packaging indicates compliance while the actual product does not meet regulatory standards.

"If the investigations show that the packaging meets legal requirements, but the fuel inside does not, this suggests a widespread issue of fraud," Cllr. Jones added. "We need immediate action from national authorities to address this, including increased inspections, stronger penalties, and clearer labelling requirements."

Cllr. Jones is calling for urgent action to strengthen enforcement measures, increase accountability throughout the supply chain, and ensure that the public is protected from the harmful effects of non-compliant coal. He is also urging the EPA and the Department of the Environment to provide a formal response on how they intend to address these serious breaches.