UK clamps down on appliances designed to break in a welcome return to the past – Scotsman comment
However, we are, it seems, coming round to at least one concept from times gone by – that the things we buy, rather than simply thrown away and replaced if they break, should be capable of being repaired.
This idea is fast developing considerable momentum and not just among hobbyists, environmentalists, and fans of the excellent BBC show, The Repair Shop.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdNow the UK government is planning to introduce rules to make appliances like fridges, washing machines and TVs last longer and be cheaper to run.
The legislation will also tackle what is known as “premature obsolescence” in electrical goods – the shocking practice of deliberately building appliances to have short lifespans so people have to keep buying more.
The rules could extend the lifespan of product by as much as a staggering ten years, in the process saving us all large amounts of money as well as reducing carbon emissions and the “e-waste tsunami”, to quote Conservative MP Philip Dunne.
A new energy-efficiency ratings system will also be introduced with an A to G scale, after the existing one reached the farcical point where products were mostly A+, A++ or A+++. Gold stars for all may be lovely for companies, but it’s not much use for consumers.
So, as we realise the error of our decidedly modern, throwaway ways, we’re going ‘back to the future’ and the time when things were made to last. Wonderful.
A message from the Editor:
Thank you for reading this article. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by coronavirus impacts our advertisers.
If you haven't already, please consider supporting our trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription.
Comments
Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.