New legislation, which was confirmed in March, will tackle what’s known as ‘premature obsolescence’ – a short lifespan deliberately built into an electrical appliance by manufacturers, which leads to unnecessary and costly replacements for consumers.
The rules will only apply to certain products put on sale on or after 1 July 2021 (though they can have been made before this date). But it won’t apply to goods sold before this date that comply with former regulations – as these don’t include a ‘right to repair’. The new rules will also only apply to certain items, which includes welding equipment, refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines and washer-dryers, and electronic display units (such as TVs).
For more on returning goods, see our Consumer Rights guide.
The new rules mean appliances should be cheaper to run
Under the new rules, manufacturers of electrical goods will now be LEGALLY required to ensure the following:
