Appliance producers meet their obligations under the WEEE Regulations through membership of Producer Compliance Schemes, which arrange for WEEE to be collected and delivered to approved treatment facilities on producers’ behalf. The costs borne by producers through these arrangements help finance the collection, treatment, recovery and recycling of household WEEE, including appliances collected at local authority designated collection facilities, which accounts for about 50% of fridge recycling,  the other 50% of fridges are recycled by appliance producers and retailers.  According to official Defra data, 70,000 tons of fridges have been responsibly recycled in the UK so far this year.   Companies like the Appliance Recycling Group will also collect an old fridge from your home.  They’ll check if it’s suitable for reuse and if it is they will refurbish it and find it a new home.  If it isn’t, they ensure it’s responsibly recycled.  They can be found at http://collectmyelectricals.co.uk/.  Retailer AO will also collect a fridge and recycle it for a fee even if you have not purchased a new one with them.   We urge consumers to seek reputable companies if they need a fridge to be recycled to avoid fridges being dumped.

We understand that the situation has started to ease a little in some areas as additional treatment and storage capacity becomes available,  with further specialist facilities due to open over the next couple of years, and that there is currently spare fridge treatment capacity in Europe, so it is possible that some of the backlog of fridges needing to be recycled will be sent to approved specialist plants abroad.

In terms of new specialist recycling plants in the UK,  GAP in the North East opened a new fridge treatment plant in Scotland last year.  It’s state of the art and uses renewable energy to power it. Enva plans to open a new fridge treatment plan in Dartford in 2027.  These investments are only possible because of the money producers and their compliance schemes pay for fridge recycling.  If it wasn’t profitable they wouldn’t invest in new plants.

Whilst the current issues in refrigeration are hopefully relatively short term,  brought about by a ‘perfect storm’ of issues, we recognise that it does highlight the fragility of the supply chain and that more specialist recycling facilities need to be encouraged.  AMDEA has already called on all stakeholders to work collaboratively with industry to support sustained development and investment in the UK’s recycling infrastructure and help build the capacity and resilience needed to prevent similar disruption in the future, as well as recycling facilities that meet future needs and recycle to the highest standards.  Part of that is sharing with recyclers how producers see markets and technologies will develop in the coming years, allowing recyclers to design plants for the future and to give them the confidence to invest now. At the same time, we recognise that producers have an important role to play in closely managing their own relationships with their Product Compliance Scheme operators and ensuring that their obligations under the WEEE regime continue to be effectively met.

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.

The proposed UK Mandatory Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme (MWELS) will force manufacturers of “wet” appliances such as washing machines, washer-dryers and dishwashers, to display a new water efficiency label. However, water consumption is already clearly displayed on the existing, mandatory GB energy label.

AMDEA warns that introducing a second, visually similar label using completely different calculation methods, will not only cost businesses millions but will actively confuse shoppers and potentially add costs to everyday appliances.

New nationally representative consumer research commissioned by AMDEA also reveals widespread “label blindness” among UK shoppers, suggesting new labels will not improve understanding:

• Over half (51%) of consumers say there is already so much information on appliances that they find it hard to know what to focus on.
• Only a third (34%) usually read all the labels and information provided when buying a new appliance.
• Over two-thirds (67%) believe new labels should only be added if they replace an old one to keep things simple.

Stefan Hay, Chief Executive Officer of AMDEA, said: “This proposed regulation is the very definition of unnecessary red tape. The Government is forcing manufacturers to print millions of redundant labels and segregate stock for the GB market, creating a massive £28 million logistical nightmare. At a time when household budgets are stretched to the limit and manufacturers are trying to compete in a difficult trading environment, adding millions in regulatory costs that will inevitably trickle down to the consumer is completely unacceptable.

“Consumers are already overwhelmed by the amount of information thrown at them. Our research clearly shows they want simple, consolidated information, not a proliferation of contradictory stickers. The existing GB energy label has successfully driven massive improvements in water and energy efficiency for decades. Duplicating it with a flawed, conflicting metric will only undermine consumer trust and create confusion.”

A flawed ‘green’ metric that penalises smaller households

Beyond the £28 million initial burden and an estimated £5 million in ongoing annual costs, AMDEA analysis of several thousand dishwasher models shows the proposed MWELS metric is fundamentally flawed because it calculates efficiency based on “litres per place setting”. This means it favours large, full-size appliances and unfairly penalises slimline, compact or tabletop models often used by smaller households or those with limited kitchen space.

Chris George, Head of Trade Operations and Sustainability, Europe West at Electrolux Major Appliances and AMDEA Chair explained: “’The appliance industry, like so many other industries, is under pressure and this unnecessary new mandatory label will add further to our costs. Modern washing machines and dishwashers are extremely water efficient, and the existing energy label already tells consumers how much water is used per typical cycle.  Adding another water label unrelated to the energy label information will create confusion for GB customers. We need the Government to remove ‘wet’ appliances from the proposed regulation urgently.”

EU conflict

Applying the MWELS label in Great Britain also creates a direct legal conflict with Northern Ireland. Retained EU law, which still applies in Northern Ireland, prohibits the use of additional labels that mimic the energy label to prevent consumer confusion.

AMDEA is urgently calling on Defra and the Minister for Water and Flooding, Emma Hardy MP, to review the scope of the MWELS Regulations and exclude washing machines, washer-dryers and dishwashers before the legislation is laid before Parliament in May.

Since becoming Chair in 2018 Teresa has led AMDEA through a period of significant transformation and growth. She strengthened the organisation’s leadership early on with the appointment of Paul Hide as Chief Executive and went on to guide AMDEA through major challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic, leaving the Association on a robust financial footing with a skilled and effective team in place.   Increasing the importance of sustainability  – and promoting the circular economy through repair, reuse and recycle –  has been a hallmark of her leadership, with annual Amdea conferences focusing on this critical topic since 2021. Under her leadership, AMDEA also expanded its public-facing role, launching the award-winning Know Watt’s What campaign in 2023 to highlight the cost and energy-saving benefits of modern appliances to end consumers.  Throughout her eight year tenure, Teresa also continued to drive ‘Register My Appliance’, the annual initiative which encourages households to register their appliances to improve product safety.

In 2025, Teresa oversaw the appointment of AMDEA’s current Chief Executive, Stefan Hay, ensuring a smooth leadership transition, and in January 2026 supported the introduction of a new Associate Membership category, further strengthening the Association’s reach and influence.

Teresa Arbuckle said:  “I am very proud of where AMDEA leads today, delivering impactful sustainability and safety campaigns for consumers, and working with key stakeholders and government officials on critical topics concerning us all. I’m pleased to remain as an AMDEA Board member to ensure that AMDEA continues to move forward in a positive direction in order to benefit millions of UK households”.

In paying tribute to Teresa, Stefan Hay said: “It has been a real privilege to work with Teresa over the past few months. Her commitment to AMDEA, her unwavering support for the team, and her dynamic, principled leadership have left a lasting mark on the organisation. Teresa’s contribution to AMDEA and to the wider UK appliance industry cannot be overstated; she has played a pivotal role in shaping a strong, respected and influential association. I inherit an organisation in robust health, built on the foundations laid by Teresa and Paul, and I am proud to continue building on their legacy together with our new Chair Chris George.”

AMDEA’s new Chair of the Board, Chris George, will take up the role from today. Chris has worked in the appliance industry and associated technology industries for over 20 years and has been an active member of the AMDEA Board since December 2023.

Speaking about his appointment and his aspirations for AMDEA’s future Chris George said:

“I’m delighted to take on the role of Chair at AMDEA. Having worked across this industry for more than a decade, I’ve seen first-hand how important AMDEA has been in defining standards, regulations and championing crucial issues like sustainability. With Stefan now driving the business forward and expanding our remit and membership, my priority as Chair will be to continue Teresa’s great work and ensure AMDEA remains a strong, credible voice for our members. I intend to help us to continue our excellent collaboration with government and stakeholders to support innovation, drive high standards, and help the industry navigate the many challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”

Robert Gosling, Head of Technical, Regulations and Standards said: ‘The team and I are delighted to have the recognition of our peers across the trade association world for the development of our ‘IF’ dashboard.  We work hard to support our members navigating of the growing plethora of regulations and standards for our members, and this award further reflects the growing recognition of the need for practical tools that support joined up, forward looking product policy.’  

AMDEA CEO Stefan Hay goes on to add ‘As regulatory complexity continues to intensify, our Technical Team is not a background function. It is a strategic asset, protecting today’s business while shaping tomorrow’s operating environment. That, in my view, is the enduring value of AMDEA membership.’

The new Associate Membership Group formalises AMDEA’s regular engagement with the wider industry, allowing AMDEA to bring companies involved in the provision of training, insurance and warranty schemes, servicing, repair, recovery, refurbishment, reuse, recycling, and end of life disposal under the membership umbrella.

AMDEA CEO Stefan Hay says: ‘We are excited to welcome our first Associate Members to the AMDEA community.  As the UK trade association for home appliances, we are in a unique position to convene the wider appliance industry.  These companies drive the innovation and standards across home appliances’ full lifecycle that are crucial to AMDEA’s strategic aim of supporting the delivery of the circular economy within the home appliance sector. There are clear interdependencies at policy, regulatory and compliance levels for these organisations and our members.’

He goes on to add:  ‘The inaugural meeting set a highly collaborative tone.  There is much we can work on together to support the circular economy and encourage and train talent into the industry through the development of a new national repairer training and licensing scheme.  We look forward to welcoming more Associate Members in the very near future.’

Pacifica CEO Kevin Brown says:  ‘Pacifica is pleased to be part of AMDEA’s new Associate Members Group. As a business operating at the heart of appliance repair, servicing and warranty delivery, we strongly support initiatives that raise standards, strengthen skills and promote a genuinely circular approach to appliances. We see the AMG as an important forum for collaboration across the value chain and look forward to contributing practical insight and experience to support AMDEA’s wider objectives.’

Founder of Service Box, James Kedian says: ‘As an Associate Member of AMDEA, Service Box is proud to be part of a group focused on raising standards and encouraging collaboration across the industry. The Associate Member Group provides an important forum for sharing expertise, supporting manufacturers, and ensuring the customer experience remains central as the market continues to evolve.’

British Gas Head of Strategic Partnerships Christopher Burtonwood says: ‘For British Gas, meaningful innovation always starts with understanding the customer. The AMDEA Associate Member Group gives us a unique opportunity to collaborate more closely with manufacturers and service providers, using real‑world insights to improve product performance and shape future solutions. This partnership approach enables us to anticipate emerging needs, develop smarter support models and ultimately give customers greater confidence in the appliances they rely on every day. We’re proud to contribute to this shared ambition.’

Vikki Kennedy, Domestic & General Chief Strategy & Corporate Development Officer says: ‘Domestic & General is proud to join the Associate Membership Group at such a pivotal moment for the industry. Bringing together organisations from across the appliance lifecycle gives us a real opportunity to align on the challenges ahead, strengthen the repair ecosystem and help ensure customers benefit from more reliable, sustainable, and longer-lasting appliance care”

For more information on how to join AMDEA as an associate member please contact Stefan.Hay@amdea.org.uk . 

To provide practical help for our members to understand the ever increasing number of regulations that affect the industry,  both in Great Britain and the EU, in 2024 AMDEA launched a pioneering tool: The AMDEA IF (Implementation & Forecast) dashboard.  This is a new way for trade associations to support members in navigating both GB and EU law, especially where regulations are emerging, overlapping, or are previously unregulated. 

This innovative tool has empowered AMDEA members large and small to raise awareness of new requirements, better anticipate change, share expertise, and advocate for proportionate, coordinated regulation.  Through mapping all the new and forecast regulations and their potential impact on the industry, we have also been able to create a new concept, language and narrative to raise awareness of the sometimes overlapping or inconsistent regulatory ambitions between different Government departments and the potential impact of divergence between GB  and EU regulations. 

This has led to direct engagement with key officials in the departments that regulate AMDEA namely Department for Business and Trade (DBT), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), Department of Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ) and Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), and has helped shape government understanding of the cumulative impact of regulatory burdens and drag on innovation, product availability, cost to consumers and compliance planning. 

The winner will be announced at the TAF Awards ceremony on 26 February.

CIH / Euronics is a major buying group for independent electrical retailers in the UK, representing hundreds of stores and providing a route to market for exclusive and curated appliance brands.  The Sensis and Schönhaus ranges have been launched as CIH / Euronics owned brands, with Sensis delivering practical, design-led and value-focused appliances, whilst Schönhaus makes an art out of everyday living with premium, quality appliances that are beautifully at home. These additions complement AMDEA’s growing portfolio of member brands and the Association’s mission of promoting excellence in the home appliance sector.

“AMDEA represents Excellence in Home Appliances, and welcoming CIH / Euronics into our membership is an important step in ensuring that independent retail channels and the brands they develop have a seat at the table,” said AMDEA CEO Stefan Hay. “CIH / Euronics’ Sensis and Schönhaus brands are well thought-through additions to the market, they bring value, further consumer choice and manufacturing partnerships with existing AMDEA members that align with our priorities of quality, sustainability and consumer protection. We look forward to working together on compliance, maintaining industry standards, skills and circular-economy initiatives that benefit consumers and businesses across the UK.”

CIH Managing Director Harry Kyriacou added: “CIH / Euronics is proud to join the AMDEA membership.  It is an example of the advantages received by Independent Retailers who join the Euronics network.  We provide our retailers with benefits that typically only large retailers would enjoy.  Our relationship with AMDEA will help us serve our agents through valuable market data, access to expert guidance on regulations, and being part of a community that helps influence industry standards. This membership allows retailers to stay informed about technical and policy matters, receive support for promoting sustainable and efficient appliances, and connect with manufacturers and other stakeholders”.

Carbon Impact Report: Sharing and celebrating our members’ environmental impact – Ecogenesys

Peer-reviewed to ISO 14044 standards

Each member report details the organisation’s proportional contribution to Ecogenesys’ nationwide recycling activities during 2024, calculated using the Ecogenesys Carbon Model, which has been peer-reviewed to ISO 14044 standards, the international benchmark for environmental Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). This milestone is a step forward in helping electrical producers to understand, communicate and celebrate their contribution in reducing carbon emissions through responsible end-of-life recycling of electrical and electronic equipment.

Celebrating milestone contributions

Abs Bokhari, Executive Chairman of Ecogenesys, said: “The launch of the first Ecogenesys Carbon Impact Report marks an important milestone for our producer members. For the first time, our members have access to clear, quantifiable insights into the environmental impact of the end-of-life electrical recycling that they fund.
“Our ISO 14044 peer-reviewed carbon model provides members with reliable, measurable data. This report enables our members to quantify and communicate the sustainability benefit of electrical recycling.

It’s a proud moment for Ecogenesys and our members, demonstrating how our commitment to responsible recycling delivers real, measurable progress towards a lower-carbon future.”

Carbon modelling

The Ecogenesys Carbon Model provides a method for calculating net carbon savings across the electrical recycling process. Developed with support from Small World Consulting, the model uses data from transport operators, treatment facilities and recognised lifecycle databases to measure emissions generated during collection, treatment and processing. It also quantifies the emissions avoided through the recovery and reuse of secondary raw materials, including metals, plastics and components that replace virgin production.

The outcome is a verified net carbon saving that accurately reflects the environmental benefit of responsible recycling. Developed in line with ISO 14044 life cycle assessment standards and independently peer-reviewed, the model ensures every figure is reliable and validated.

Why this report makes a difference

The Ecogenesys Carbon Impact Report importantly demonstrates that the environmental impact of recycling waste electricals – overall, has a positive environmental and sustainability benefit.

The carbon impact report matters because it quantifies these benefits, showing how responsible recycling directly supports carbon reduction and resource efficiency.

When end-of-life electricals are recovered and processed, valuable metals, plastics and components are made available to manufacturers. This recovery of secondary raw materials reduces the reliance on virgin materials and associated emissions, helping to close the loop on resource use and making every tonne recycled a part of a sustainable circular economy.

The result is a measurable net carbon saving that captures the real environmental value of responsible recycling and helps close the loop towards a more sustainable, circular economy.

Each Ecogenesys member has received a full report, which also features an illustrative breakdown of recycling and recovery processes for each electrical waste stream. These illustrations provide each electrical producer with a practical communications and engagement tool that enables them to understand, showcase and support their evidence-based sustainability storytelling.

About Ecogenesys

Ecogenesys is the UK’s leading producer-led compliance scheme for electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), where fair costs, trusted expertise and a commitment to sustainability puts members in control.  Formerly known as REPIC, the organisation rebranded in March 2024 to reflect its expanded mission – supporting members with a broader range of services designed to help them navigate an evolving landscape of regulation and sustainability.   Established in January 2004 by leading companies in the electrical and electronics industry, this not-for-profit compliance scheme helps producers meet responsibilities under environmental legislation covering WEEE, Batteries and Packaging.

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