AMDEA has welcomed the announcement from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) that the proposed Mandatory Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme (MWELS) will not apply to ‘wet’ appliances.
The Association, which represents the majority of home appliance manufacturers, importers and distributors in the UK, has consistently supported effective water demand management and clear consumer information, while making the product-specific case that dishwashers, washing machines and washer-dryers should not be subject to a second mandatory water label, as these products already provide regulated water consumption information through existing energy labels.
Last week, Defra’s revised approach highlighted the principal concern around differing treatment across the four UK nations, but it will now apply consistently across all four UK nations.
As a result, energy-related products will no longer be included. This means that household dishwashers, washing machines, washer-dryers and electric showers are to be removed from the scope of the mandatory scheme, subject to final policy clearances.
The revised scheme will instead apply to plumbing products such as toilets, kitchen and basin taps, non-electric showers and urinals.
AMDEA CEO, Stefan Hay, commented: “We are delighted that our engagement with departmental colleagues has resulted in a significant outcome for AMDEA and its members that manufacture wet appliances.
“We are committed to being proactive, informed and commercially focused, advocating and campaigning for our members, while working constructively with government, regulators and stakeholders to make a genuine difference. We thank our members for their substantial input; this has been a collective effort through AMDEA.”
The Association previously highlighted the risks of duplication, consumer confusion, additional compliance burdens and inconsistency between Great Britain and Northern Ireland through detailed engagement with Defra and Environment Agency officials, member meetings, consumer research, media activity, cross-government engagement and the publication of its detailed position paper in September.
It also worked closely with members and APPLiA to provide technical and legislative evidence on the proposed scheme.
