From 15 May to 17 May 2024, the VEUKO Congress took place in Bolzano in South Tyrol after a break of several years. VEUKO is an association of the European associations of tiled stove builders and stove makers. The most important topics this time were: legislation and research.

The congress took place at the Haus des Handwerks in Bolzano with delegates from 15 European member states. The aim of the event was to discuss important topics such as clean combustion, European standardisation and the promotion of young professionals.

Robert Salvata (Slovakia) was confirmed as VEUKO President, while KOV Managing Director Dr Thomas Schiffert remains Vice President. Christian Gross (South Tyrol) and Jens Hilt (Germany) were newly appointed to the management team and will be responsible for public relations/social media and lobbying respectively. In future, VEUKO will join its own lobbying association in order to be able to do even more intensive work for the tiled stove throughout Europe.

The VEUKO management team: C. Gross, R. Salvata, T. Schiffert and J. Hilt

The newest member of VEUKO is the German GVOB (Gesamtverband Ofenbau) from Germany, which already has over 300 members. Germany has also initiated several projects to optimise legislation.

France provided information about its own research laboratory and the research projects on the subject of comfort in tiled stoves. Slovakia reported on a very successful press conference, which - following the Austrian model - attracted a great deal of media attention.

Thanks to the support of the KOV, the Czech association has now for the first time succeeded in obtaining national funding for tiled stoves, which amounts to 45,000 Czech crowns (= approx. € 1,800).

Austria provided information on the latest developments in European legislation and standardisation in the field of tiled stoves and wood-burning stoves as well as on the issue of particulate matter.

A jury was also appointed for the VEUKO European Championships, which will take place as part of KOK Austria in January 2026. The jury will soon be looking at the stove to be built and the adaptation of the evaluation system.

Members from 15 countries are represented in the European association.

Around the congress

In addition to the professional and technical aspects, the personal exchange between stove fitters from different countries is an essential part of the congress in a networked European community.

The evening programme took the delegation by cable car and narrow-gauge railway, followed by a hike up the Ritten to Klobenstein, where the earth pyramids were visited. The programme concluded with a hearty dinner with musical accompaniment by a former and the current chairman of the South Tyrolean stoves.

The group enjoyed the marvellous landscape of South Tyrol.

A date for the next meeting has already been set: the next VEUKO Congress will take place from 11 to 13 June 2025 in France, probably in the Lyon area.