EcoDesign 2026 and Class 5: what regulations now require

Three texts that shouldn't be confused

Three distinct regulatory frameworks govern biomass boilers sold in Luxembourg and Belgium. Mixing them up is the leading cause of non-compliant quotes.

The ErP / EcoDesign regulation 2015/1189 has, since 2020, set the minimum efficiency and emission thresholds for ANY solid-fuel boiler placed on the European market — it's illegal to sell non-compliant equipment. The ErP / Energy Label regulation 2015/1187 separately requires the A+++ → G energy label to be visible on the product. And the EN 303-5 standard (2012 and 2021 versions) defines classes 3, 4 and 5 according to efficiency and emissions measured in laboratory conditions.

What 2026 changes

Since 1 January 2026, several Luxembourg and Belgian energy subsidies (notably the Klimabonus for replacing a fossil-fuel boiler) require a biomass boiler certified to EN 303-5 Class 5 AND a minimum A+ energy class. In practice this rules out older "low-tech" boilers and pushes the market toward biomass condensing boilers, slow-combustion models and modern gasifiers.

For existing installations, no retroactive replacement obligation applies at this time. However, when a renovation is supported by public funds, the targeted seasonal efficiency must comply with the EcoDesign 2022 thresholds (seasonal efficiency ≥75 % for a manual boiler, ≥77 % for an automatic one).

Class 5 technical criteria

EN 303-5:2012 and 2021 define Class 5 by the following thresholds, measured at nominal output and at part-load:

• Useful efficiency ≥ 87 % (manual boiler) or ≥ 89 % (automatic)
• CO emissions ≤ 700 mg/Nm³ (manual) / ≤ 500 mg/Nm³ (automatic) at 10 % O₂
• OGC emissions ≤ 30 / 20 mg/Nm³
• Particulate emissions ≤ 60 / 40 mg/Nm³
• Test on specified fuel (ENplus A1 pellets, logs with moisture ≤25 %, M30 chips)

Tatano Class 5 compliant models

The entire current Tatano range targeting the LU/BE markets is certified to EN 303-5 Class 5 and carries the A+ or A++ energy label: Blu Evo, Kalorina Série 22 CL5 Pellet and Cippato, Kalorina LE-PA Class 5, Kalorina LE-PA Cippato, Kalorina Série 23 Moving Grate, Kalorina Mini K Low Emission. Earlier Class 4 models have not been distributed since 2024.

On-paper compliance isn't enough: actual on-site efficiency depends on chimney draft, the fuel used (moisture, particle size) and maintenance. Certificates are issued in laboratory conditions; real-world operation follows best practices that we document in the installation manual and at commissioning.

Your obligations when replacing an old boiler

To qualify for Klimabonus 2026 (Luxembourg) or Belgian regional energy subsidies (Wallonia, Flanders, Brussels), your new boiler must: be certified to EN 303-5 Class 5 (proof: manufacturer's declaration of conformity), carry an energy label of ≥ A+, and be installed by an approved installer (in Luxembourg, "Maison Energie" certification or equivalent; in Wallonia, category-specific accreditation).

The old equipment must be dismantled and its removal certified for the subsidy to be paid. Keep the purchase invoice, the installation invoice AND the disposal certificate for the old appliance — they will be requested when your file is processed for payment.