On Friday 2 October the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced that the proposed Mandatory Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme (MWELS) will not apply to ‘wet’ appliances.
Defra’s revised approach resolves the principal concern around differing treatment across the four UK nations, it will now apply consistently across all four UK nations (see here).
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 the following plumbing products: toilets; kitchen and basin taps; non-electric showers; and urinals.
AMDEA CEO Stefan Hay says: ‘We welcome this announcement from Defra, we are delighted that our engagement with departmental colleagues has resulted in a significant outcome for AMDEA and its members that manufacture wet appliances. AMDEA 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.
AMDEA has 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 our detailed position paper in September. We have also worked closely with members and APPLiA to provide technical and legislative evidence on the proposed scheme. We are very grateful to our colleagues at Defra for engaging with us and understanding the need to not include wet appliances in the MWELS scope.
This outcome demonstrates the value that AMDEA brings to its members. 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.’