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Tougher rules are being introduced to make appliances such as fridges, washing machines and TVs cheaper to run and last longer, the Government announced today.
New legislation aims to tackle ‘premature obsolescence’ in electrical goods, which means they have a shorter lifespan and have to be replaced more regularly.
The rules include a legal requirement on manufacturers to make spare parts available to consumers, which aims to extend the lifespan of products by up to 10 years, and cut carbon emissions from the manufacture of new goods.
The measures, which apply to white goods such as washing machines, dishwashers and fridges, as well as items such as TVs, aim to reduce the 1.5 million tonnes of electrical waste the UK generates a year.
In a completely sane world, madness is the only freedom (J.G.Ballard).
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Labels could also be required on new machines that spell out their expected lifespan.
It comes amid concern over the environmental damage being caused by goods that need replacing sooner.
Typical washing machines last about eight years before breaking, and manufacturers do not keep the relevant parts for long – which means they then cannot repair them.
By contrast, some fridges installed in the 1950s still work more than 50 years later.
Higher energy efficiency standards are also being set for electrical goods, which officials said would save consumers an average of £75 a year on bills overall and cut carbon emissions by using less electricity over their lifetimes.
Business and Energy Secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng, said: ‘Our plans to tighten product standards will ensure more of our electrical goods can be fixed rather than thrown on the scrap heap, putting more money back in the pockets of consumers whilst protecting the environment.
‘Going forward, our upcoming energy efficiency framework will push electrical products to use even less energy and material resources, saving people money on their bills and reducing carbon emissions as we work to reach net zero by 2050.’
In a completely sane world, madness is the only freedom (J.G.Ballard).
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