How safe is a bioethanol burner with a CE marking?

Xaralyn

Safety bioethanol fireplaces: what you need to know before buying

Bioethanol fireplaces have gained immense popularity in recent years—not just for their elegant flames and modern design, but also for their easy installation. No chimney or gas connection required. However, safety around bioethanol fireplaces is often underestimated, and that can be dangerous.

Bioethanol: popular, but not without risks

Bioethanol is a clean, renewable fuel widely used in fireplaces, tabletop burners, and even DIY projects. On social media, you’ll find countless videos showing how to build your own fireplace or how "easy" it is to use one. But bioethanol is also a highly flammable liquid, and improper use can lead to serious accidents—flash fires, burns, or even house fires.

Most incidents are caused by untested products or ignored safety instructions. This gives bioethanol a bad reputation, while the fuel itself can be perfectly safe—if used with properly tested equipment that meets the highest safety standards.

How safe is a bioethanol burner with a CE mark?

A CE mark is not a safety certification.

It only indicates that a product meets the minimum production, environmental, and safety requirements of the EU. Importantly, there is no official EU testing or approval process for CE marking—it’s a self-declaration by the manufacturer.

Worse still, advertising terms like “CE-certified” or “CE-tested” are considered misleading and can result in fines up to €10,000. For consumers, the CE label offers little value when it comes to verifying the true safety of a bioethanol fireplace.

EN 16647: the European standard for safe bioethanol fireplaces

To improve product safety, the European Union introduced EN 16647:2015—the only recognized standard that defines clear safety, performance, and design requirements for bioethanol fireplaces and burners.

What does EN 16647 include?

A fireplace that complies with EN 16647 must feature:

• A double-walled burner to prevent fuel leakage.
• Stability testing, to ensure the unit won’t tip over easily.
• A safe filling system, preventing spills or refueling while lit.
• Overheating protection.
• A mechanism to safely extinguish the flame.

If you want a truly safe fireplace, always choose one tested and certified according to EN 16647.

Why are non-certified fireplaces still sold?

Products with just a CE mark can legally be sold in the EU—even without EN 16647 certification. This opens the door for untested and potentially unsafe products to enter the market, often at lower prices. These are not always unsafe, but they’re not proven to meet the required safety standards.

How to identify a safe bioethanol fireplace

Here’s what to look for:

• Ask for EN 16647 certification.
• Choose models with double-walled burners and flame-retardant materials.
• Make sure the unit has a closed, secure filling system.
• Avoid cheap imitations without proper manuals or safety documentation.

Conclusion: safety starts with choosing the right fireplace

Bioethanol is a safe fuel—but only if used with the right equipment. Don’t be fooled by CE labels or appealing DIY content online. The safety of bioethanol fireplaces depends entirely on their construction, reliability, and compliance with EN 16647.

By choosing a certified model, you protect yourself, your family—and the positive reputation of bioethanol as a clean and safe energy source.

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