The Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has confirmed to kbbreview that it will not be wholly adopting the existing industry Unified Water Label as its mandatory scheme.
It says that a new mandatory scheme will be ‘more effective’ but says it will work with the Unified Water Label Association (UWLA) to develop the new label.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) launched a consultation in September last year on proposals to introduce a mandatory label for display on toilets, urinals, and non-electric showers as well as kitchen and bathroom taps. Domestic appliances that use water, such as washing machines, dishwashers and washer/dryers were also included in the proposals.
This could mean retailers will face action from authorities if they don’t display compulsory water labelling in their showrooms.
The results of that consultation came out this week and proposed a projected launch of mandatory water efficiency labelling regulations next year with implementation by 2025. However, the report strongly implied that this scheme will be set up from scratch, bypassing the existing UWLA scheme, despite much of the detailed aims and methodology being virtually identical.
The move was branded “extremely misguided” by UWLA boss Yvonne Orgill (pictured) who says it will “create confusion and unnecessary expense”. Likewise, the Bathroom Manufacturers Association has blasted the plan as a “shocking waste” and “painfully unrealistic”.
Now, a Defra spokesperson has confirmed to kbbreview that it is planning its own label: “We are in the early stages of delivering this scheme and will be working with partners, including the Unified Water Label Association, to finalise the design of our label and its enforcement.
“The Mandatory Water Efficiency Label is a more effective approach than a voluntary label and will play a key role in achieving the Government’s Water Demand Target while also giving consumers the information they need to make informed decisions.”
An understandably indignant UWLA chief executive Yvonne Orgill said: “Why reinvent the wheel when industry, with the UWL and product design, is ahead of government with innovative products already using less water and energy? There is no evidence to show that a mandatory label will be more effective. The UWL is an established tool that does play a key role in achieving the Government’s Water Demand Target while also giving consumers the information they need to make informed decisions.”