Home Assistant just announced a significant shift in its partnership program, formally removing smart home brand HELTUN from the "Works with Home Assistant" certification. The popular open-source home automation platform published a full explanation of the decision.
Importantly, this decision wasn't caused by buggy hardware or security vulnerabilities. Instead, this change stems from a lapsed agreement. Home Assistant, through the Open Home Foundation, spent much of 2025 trying to reconnect with HELTUN to discuss renewing the official contract. Despite multiple attempts to reach out, the team said they never received a response. Since the previous contract expired, the platform had no choice but to formally remove HELTUN from the partner program.
This entire situation is a perfect example of why those official contracts are so much more than just a formality. The agreement is legally binding and details exactly how the manufacturer promises to support its users. It makes sure devices keep working long-term and partners uphold the open-source principles the project stands for. Without that binding commitment, the Open Home Foundation cannot maintain the certification.
For anyone who already owns HELTUN devices, you shouldn't panic right away. Home Assistant said it has no specific issues with the hardware itself. Since HELTUN products operate on the Z-Wave open standard, they should continue to function within your setup.
The critical risk here is the lack of formal obligation for ongoing support. If the devices need future firmware updates, which are often distributed through Z-Wave JS, HELTUN is no longer under contract to provide those files. That lack of guaranteed long-term maintenance is a major downside for anyone who depends on stability.
I personally believe this is the right move for the team to make. Holding partners accountable to the standards outlined in the contract protects the entire user base. If a company can simply ignore outreach and let its commitments lapse, the whole certification program loses its meaning. This action makes the "Works with Home Assistant" badge mean a lot more, and proves it's not just a marketing label.
Since HELTUN hasn't responded, the specific reason for the silence is a mystery. However, given how difficult the partner program is to enter, walking away from it seems like an odd choice. Many of the blog posts detail the strict rules and tests, and this removal is proof that the Open Home Foundation takes this very seriously.
As a result of the removal, Home Assistant has scrubbed HELTUN from its certified lists. The integration page is now removed from the partner filter, and the platform has updated its original launch blog post to reflect that the information is "no longer applicable." HELTUN is now barred from displaying the official certification logo on any of its marketing materials.
Home Assistant left the door open for a future partnership. The post said it would be willing to readmit HELTUN into the program if the company tried to renew its contract down the road.
For now, if you have a HELTUN device, you may be better off switching if the lack of response continues.
Source: Home Assistant
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