Are stainless steel chimneys being banned? The facts

This question keeps coming up—often after a contractor has mentioned an alleged ban to a customer. It is time to check the facts: what is true, what is a misunderstanding and which rules actually apply?

The clear answer: no

There is no general ban on stainless steel chimneys—whether installed outside on the façade or indoors. Energy advisers and specialist publications have already had to correct this claim several times after individual contractors made it to customers. A stainless steel chimney remains a completely legal and widely used solution for new builds, renovations and retrofits.

The likely source of the rumour: new rules since 2022

Something did change on 1 January 2022—but it concerns flue gas routing, not the material. Since then, stricter requirements have applied to the terminal height of new solid-fuel combustion systems: the chimney must extend sufficiently above the ridge (at least 40 cm) or maintain a minimum distance from windows and ventilation openings within a 15-metre radius (generally at least 1 metre above them). The previous, slightly simpler requirements usually continue to apply to existing buildings and projects that have already received approval. This change therefore affects how a chimney must be positioned—not whether stainless steel is permitted as a material.

The rumoured "wood-burning stove ban" is also false

A closely related concern is that wood-burning stoves will be banned altogether. This is also incorrect: individual room heating appliances such as fireplaces, tiled stoves and pellet stoves are not classed as heating systems under the German Building Energy Act (GEG) and are exempt from the requirement for new heating systems to use 65 per cent renewable energy. As long as a new stove complies with the limits in Stage 2 of the German Federal Immission Control Ordinance, it may continue to be installed and operated as normal in consultation with your chimney sweep.

What actually applies to stainless steel chimneys

• CE marking Mandatory for every system sold—proof of tested type approval.
• Corrosion resistance class Class 1 for gas, Class 2 also for oil and Class 3 for solid fuels.
• Minimum clearances from combustible components, depending on the insulation and temperature class.
• Inspection openings to provide access for the chimney sweep.
• Terminal height in accordance with the flue gas routing rules in force since 2022 for new installations.

These are standard quality and safety requirements, not bans—and any reputable system will meet them.

Conclusion

Stainless steel chimneys are not banned, nor are they being banned "through the back door". What has changed is a limited set of technical requirements for terminal heights on new installations—not a ban on the material or product. All OSKAR systems are CE-certified and tested by TÜV-SÜD in accordance with DIN EN 1856-1, so they meet the relevant requirements as standard.

Not sure which system is right for your project? Simply configure your chimney with our configurator.