What They Say
Despite Brexit, the UK is introducing regulations to match EU requirements that mandate that spare parts should be available to professional repairers for up to ten years. It currently applies to lighting, washing machines, dishwashers and fridges. The UK has also adopted the latest EU requirements on energy labelling.
What We Think
Given that the EU rules had to be applied, anyway, in Northern Ireland and that manufacturers are not country-based, but continent-based, the use of EU regulations is not surprising. One of the claims of Brexiteers is that the move would allow more freedom in standard setting, but this is to ignore the point that no serious consumer durable company is likely to target just a single market and if you have to meet EU standards anywhere, it’s usually easier to meet them everywhere. That’s a factor in why the EU and progressive US states like California are so important in standard setting. (BR)
