Round-up | NEWS
Defra confirms it will pursue its own water label
THE DEPARTMENT of Environ- ment, 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 in October and proposed a projected launch of mandatory water efficiency labelling regulations next year with implementation by 2025. However, the Defra 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, who says it will “create confusion and unnecessary expense”.
BSH UK profits boom after price increase
BSH UK experienced a huge boost to its profits in the last financial year thanks to price increases on its products, in spite of a decrease in its overall turnover.
In its 2022 accounts filed with Companies House, the appliance giant revealed that pre-tax profits were up by over 26% on the previous year to £30.2 million. This increase in profit is despite a slight fall in turnover to £811m, roughly 4.4% lower than the previous year. BSH UK said it was necessary to increase prices to reduce the impact of “inflationary pressures, rising material and logistics costs, the invasion of Ukraine and its impact of food and energy process, [and] a fall in consumer confidence.” It also admitted to struggling with “product availability due to component shortages,” but said this had eased “considerably” towards the end of last year. Transport-related CO2 emissions had also risen considerably, with BSH producing 2,705 metric tonnes in 2022, up by almost 10% over the previous year, which it attributed to “the return of travel to pre-pandemic level.” However, the company has reaffirmed its commitment to reducing emissions. It has increased the number of electric and hybrid vehicles in its fleet, and is looking to “convert the fleet to all-electric where practical.” BSH UK’s directors said they believe that with confidence increasing, the com pany is well placed to fulfil consumer needs.
November 2023 • 7
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