Barbecue Charcoal and Barbecue Charcoal Briquettes

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Who doesn’t know this scenario: It’s a glorious summer day, the sun is shining, and after a day full of outdoor activities, you gather around the grill with your loved ones. Your stomach is growling, and the anticipation of delicious grilled food is growing. But instead of the enjoyable grilling experience you expected, you find yourself battling with charcoal that just won’t ignite properly. Despite vigorous waving and blowing, it just won’t get going. Wondering why? The cause is often low-quality charcoal with excessive moisture, inappropriate particle size, and a low fixed carbon content.

Learn how our certification ensures that such frustrations are a thing of the past.

We are DIN CERTCO, a DAkkS-accredited certification body and part of TÜV Rheinland AG. We are also the only certification body authorized to issue DIN marks for barbecue charcoal and barbecue charcoal briquettes. Our conformity assessment is based on the DIN EN 1860-2 standard, which defines limits regarding the safety and performance of barbecue charcoal and barbecue briquettes. Integrity is our top priority – following the motto "We build trust,” we work fairly, transparently, impartially, and responsibly to provide consumers with a reliable basis for their purchasing decisions through our globally recognized DIN marks of conformity.

For over 20 years, we have been certifying barbecue accessories such as barbecue charcoal (including restaurant-grade charcoal), barbecue charcoal briquettes, and firelighters , demonstrating the growing importance of certifications for grilling products in an increasingly globalized world. With over 280 valid certificates from nearly 20 countries and significant growth in recent years, we are the leading standards-based certification body for barbecue accessories in Europe.

Quality Assurance and Trust: The majority of consumers pay attention to quality seals when purchasing products and perceive products with seals as being of higher quality. Products with quality seals can also achieve up to 15% higher price willingness from customers¹. However, in times of an overabundance of quality seals, the credibility of the seal is key. The DIN mark for barbecue accessories is based on the DIN EN 1860 standard series, developed by a standardization committee, providing a more solid and reliable foundation compared to conventional seals. Thanks to their international recognition and high standards, DIN marks enjoy great trust and appreciation both nationally and worldwide. Additionally, products with the DIN mark are often ranked as top performers in online product comparisons, such as those conducted by Stiftung Warentest².

Market Access and Competitive Advantage: The DIN mark acts as a gateway to the market, as many wholesalers exclusively purchase barbecue charcoal or charcoal briquettes that carry a standards-based quality mark like DIN-tested or DINplus. The certificates serve as proof of trust for adherence to high-quality standards, helping manufacturers stand out in the competitive market.

Strengthening the Corporate Image: Having DIN-certified products in your portfolio enhances the overall reputation of your company and product range. The positive perception of an independently tested, high-quality product can extend to the entire brand portfolio, significantly boosting your company’s standing in the market.

We test your products for conformity with the requirements of DIN EN 1860-2 . Below, you will find the key parameters, their respective thresholds, and their importance for the quality of untreated barbecue charcoal and charcoal briquettes:

• Fixed Carbon: The amount of pure carbon is measured, as it influences the smoke generation and burning duration.
• Ash Content: The amount of ash residue is analyzed, providing insights into unwanted substances or impurities in the charcoal.
• Total Moisture: The moisture level impacts the maximum achievable temperature and the ignition and burning properties of the charcoal.
• Particle Size (Grain Size): A crucial quality feature for barbecue charcoal and briquettes, as it directly affects the burning duration. Small fragments tend to burn faster, while oversized pieces may hinder proper combustion.

Products that meet these standards are awarded the DINgeprüft (translates to: DINtested) mark. For even stricter requirements that exceed the standard limits, the DINplus mark is issued.

1. Initial testing conducted in one of our recognized testing laboratories.

2. Submission of all required documents (test report, application, packaging layout(s)).

3. Conduct of the conformity assessment.

4. Issuance of the certificate after successful evaluation, including the right to use the corresponding DIN mark.

A certificate is valid for 2 years. Each year, following a short-term request by DIN CERTCO, a sample must be sent to a laboratory recognized by us within a specified timeframe and documented with proof of shipment.

Your certificate will be stored in our database . Your customers can easily find the respective product by entering the registration number found on the packaging.

Detailed information about our certification process and the regular monitoring measures is transparently outlined in our certification scheme.

The certification scheme and all necessary documents for the application process are available for download further down on this page.

(1) = German Society for Online Research (DGOF). SPLENDID Research Study: Quality seals significantly influence purchasing and price willingness. Retrieved on April 11, 2025, from https://www.dgof.de/splendid-research-studie-guetesiegel-beeinflussen-kauf-und-preisbereitschaft-erheblich/

(2) = CHIP Online. (2023, May 24). Barbecue charcoal in Stiftung Warentest: These are the test winners. Retrieved on [April 11, 2025], from https://www.chip.de/news/Grillkohle-bei-Stiftung-Warentest-Das-sind-die-Testsieger_185200363.html