Benefits of Certification

There are many benefits to both the consumer and supplier in using certified WFQA fuel.

CONSUMER BENEFITS

One of the principal objectives of the WFQA scheme is to increase consumer confidence in wood fuel products sold in Ireland.   WFQA scheme members undergo a certification process that monitors their production processes and tests the quality of their finished product, ensuring that they meet pre-defined standards.  By buying from a certified WFQA wood fuel supplier you can be confident that your fuel will meet your quality requirements and most importantly, meet the manufacturer’s fuel specification for your wood fuel burning appliance.

• Increased Confidence in the Traceability of Your Wood Fuel Purchases: All certified WFQA wood fuel suppliers must provide information relating to the source of their wood fuel, including the country of origin of the raw material used in its production.  The requirement of our members to declare Country of Origin on all WFQA certified products allows consumers make informed decisions relating to the sustainability of their wood fuel purchases.
• Standardised Consumer Information about Wood Fuel Product Quality: All WFQA certified products must have labelling or associated documentation (delivery dockets etc) that clearly states in a standardised manner the basic quality parameters of the wood fuel.  Quality parameters such as Moisture Content must be stated in a standardised format which allows consumers make proper comparisons between different wood fuel products.  All WFQA suppliers will undergo periodic product testing by an independent laboratory to ensure that stated quality parameters are being met.
• Improved Security of Quality Wood Fuel Supply: As more and more consumers consider the switch from fossil fuels to wood fuels to meet their heating requirements the issue of security of supply is often raised.  Consumers ask the question “will I always be able to source wood fuel of the required quality during the heating season?”  While we cannot guarantee supply, the WFQA scheme has brought together a group of wood fuel producers who are committed to the production of high quality wood fuel products.  As we grow, our members will provide consumers with a greater degree of confidence in secure supply of quality wood fuel products around Ireland.

PRODUCER BENEFITS

Customer Confidence through an Independently Verified Quality Mark for your Products. By engaging in the WFQA scheme, you will undergo a process that will enable you to clearly demonstrate your ability to produce a wood fuel product to a consistent quality specification.  This will give your customers confidence in your products now and into the future.  Once certified, you will be entitled to display the WFQA scheme logo and NSAI logo on your packaging.

• Improved Product Marketing & Promotion: The WFQA scheme symbol on your wood fuel product packaging and associated documentation will help to promote your products within an increasingly more quality focused wood fuel market place.  As the wood fuel market in Ireland develops, retailers, installers and end users of wood fuel burning appliances are becoming more aware of the importance of burning fuels that meet the manufacturer’s specifications.  By gaining WFQA accreditation, your company will be associated with a nationally recognised quality standard which will be an invaluable marketing and promotional tool to help you to maintain and grow your market share.
• National Recognition of Quality Wood Fuel Products among Consumers: Our aim is to achieve national recognition among all types of wood fuel consumer, from government bodies tendering large scale wood chip supply contracts to domestic consumers purchasing a bag of logs for their wood burning stove.  By becoming a member of the WFQA scheme you are joining Ireland’s most progressive and quality focused wood fuel producers in their goal to provide wood fuel consumers with a simple means of identifying quality wood fuel products within the Irish market place.
• Generic Promotion of Quality Wood Fuels: The WFQA scheme is actively engaged in highlighting the importance of using quality wood fuels among all sectors of the wood fuel market from appliance manufacturers to end users.  Members work together to promote the supply of quality wood fuel products in Ireland and identify quality issues within the sector.  We aim to provide a single voice for wood fuel quality in Ireland.
• Technical Help & Support through the Certification Process: WFQA scheme members are committed to the production and promotion of quality wood fuel products and welcome all new members to the scheme.  Our members, along with our certification body & testing laboratory partners will support new members through the certification process.  The certification process offers members advice on best practice within all areas of the wood fuel production process.
• Potential Improvements in your Production Systems: Engaging in the WFQA certification process may help you to realise some improvements in your existing production and management systems.  The certification process will help you to develop and maintain an organised and quality focused approach to all aspects of your wood fuel business which may even result in improved process efficiencies.