27 November 2024
Leading electrical retail trade association Retra is calling on the government to provide urgent clarity about new tumble dryer regulations that could significantly impact UK retailers and consumers from July 2025.
Retra (The Radio, Electrical and Television Retailers Association) is asking the government to provide clear guidance on how the new energy efficiency regulations will affect retailers' ability to sell existing stock and manage future inventory.
Retra Director Jeff Moody said: "Our members are making critical stock purchasing decisions right now for the 2025 season without knowing what they'll legally be able to sell after July next year. This creates significant business risk for independent retailers who typically invest in stock up to 12 months in advance.
"Independent electrical retailers in the UK and Northern Ireland are facing a perfect storm of uncertainty. They need to know whether they can continue to sell existing stock after July 2025, what happens to products currently in the supply chain, and whether they can still repair and refurbish existing models for the second-hand and rental markets. Without this clarity, retailers risk being left with unsellable inventory or missing opportunities to stock compliant products."
The new regulations, which stem from EU requirements that will apply in Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework, introduce stricter energy efficiency standards and a new A-G energy labeling system for household tumble dryers. However, retailers are currently in the dark about whether existing stock can be sold after the deadline, what happens to products already in the distribution chain, and how this affects the repair and second-hand market.
Retra is calling for immediate government guidance to help retailers make informed purchasing decisions and manage their inventory effectively ahead of the new regulations, which will require new eco-programmes and set minimum energy efficiency standards for tumble dryers. The association also needs clarity on how the new A-G energy labeling system will be implemented and communicated to consumers.
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Retra is the UK’s leading trade association for independent electrical retailers and servicing organisations together with parent company Bira, who have been supporting independent retail businesses for over 125 years.
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