There is a temptation to suggest that this is nothing new and that this is yet more posturing by the UK Government keen to show its ‘green' credentials. But there are some aspects of this recent work which suggest that there could ultimately be changes of considerable effect to manufacturers and retailers of domestic appliances.

Having said that, the most likely impetus toward change to more efficient and environmentally friendly appliances is likely to be higher energy prices.

Recent green legislation

The Sustainable Products and Materials report, published on 10 July, details actions already underway to help make a wide range of products groups, including electrical appliances, more sustainable throughout their production, use and disposal. It also sets out a vision for future work.

The report highlights the improvements in the sustainability of domestic appliances, such as that they are now designed to minimise waste, However it also tries to widen the agenda by including ‘social issues' associated with appliances - such as labour standards at the manufacturing stage.

Alongside this report the Government has published its Policy Analysis and Projections which set out how the environmental performance of products will need to improve between now and 2020. This report is the result of a MTP (Market Transformation Programme) consultation in early 2008 to which AMDEA responded.

To meet these targets, Defra intends to use a range of existing and new programmes. These include the Energy Savings Trust ‘Energy Saving Recommended' scheme, industry voluntary schemes, CERT (Carbon Emission Reduction Targets), the Code for Sustainable Homes, Building Regulations, the review of the energy label and the forthcoming measures under the Energy-Using Products Directive (EuP).

Therefore, the UK Government, through Defra, will issue targets which manufacturers and retailers are expected to achieve. This goes much further and into greater detail than ever before.

The green targets

In the areas of greatest interest to those who manufacture and sell domestic appliances the targets are as follows:

Cold appliances:

• 2010: 100% of sales of cold appliances are A rated or better,
• 2015: 100% of sales of cold appliances are A+ rated or better,
• 2020: Over 80% of sales of cold appliances are A++ rated or better.

The average efficiency standards which a ‘basket' of new products would need to achieve by 2020 are, for example, 99 kWh/year for electric ovens, with individual standby power on microwaves and electric ovens reduced to 1W and standby power on gas ovens being phased out completely.

Domestic wet products:

• 2010: 50% of washing machine sales are A+ rated, 25% of tumble dryer sales use heat pumps or similarly efficient technology and over 95% of dishwasher sales are A-rated.
• 2020: 100% of sales of washing machines are A+ rated, 75% of tumble dryer sales use heat pumps or similarly efficient technology. Dishwashers using 15% less energy than the current A-rated products account for 70% of sales.

• 2013: 75% of homes with standard heating controls have them set and used correctly
• 2020: 50% of homes with boilers have advanced heating controls
• 2020: 2.5% of homes have solar water heating.

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