To explore how effective policies for energy-related products can support the UK’s transition to net zero by 2050, the government has called for evidence from producers, distributors and importers of certain electrical goods.
The UK passed legislation in 2019 to end its contribution to global warming by 2050 and a target was set requiring the UK to bring all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by this date.
Energy-related products include goods such as boilers, pumps, and lighting which use energy, or affect energy consumption when in use or in standby modes. Collectively, energy-related products account for 55% of total non-transport energy use in the UK. They are currently regulated under three policies in the UK – Ecodesign, Energy labelling and The Energy Technology List.
Improve the effectiveness of products policy
Feedback from producers in the new call for evidence is specifically sought on cooking appliances, lighting, water pumps, boilers, heat pumps, electric motors, space cooling and ventilation.
The government in particular are seeking evidence on:
- how to improve the efficacy of ecodesign and energy labelling policy in the UK to realise greater energy and carbon savings as well as other environmental benefits of more resource efficient products
- whether better minimum energy performance standards and resource efficiency requirements could be set for certain products
- whether there are any other policy measures that could help to increase the uptake of energy and resource efficient products
Importantly, the information and data gathered will be used to build up an evidence base on how to improve the effectiveness of products policy, which in turn will be used to inform a set of policy options that will be subject to a formal consultation.
B2B Compliance scheme manager Lucy Drake-Lee commented “We want to stress that it is particularly important that B2B producers of the specified goods input into this call for evidence as it undoubtedly affects the vast majority of them.”
“In this way they can help to shape the future legislation that will affect their products and input into how the industry can support the transition to net-zero by 2050. We are proactively requesting that our members feedback their views to us so that we are fully informed and can collectively respond to government.”
How to respond
More information can be found in the Energy-Related Products call for evidence document.
We are requesting that B2B Compliance members feedback their views to us as soon as possible by emailing membership@b2bcompliance.org.uk, so that we can submit a collective response for the B2B sector.
Producers can of course also respond directly to government by completing this website form by midnight on 4 September.