Published on: 20 October 2022
Expected to come into force by 2025 the plans are currently subject to consultation which closes on 25 November. British Marine is seeking your views to inform its response.
DEFRA, together with the devolved administrations, is consulting on introducing a UK mandatory water efficiency label, based on a banded (tiered) programme similar to the energy efficiency label. It would be under ISO 31600:2022. The aim is that by informing consumers, the label would encourage the purchase of more water efficient products for both domestic and business use and is expected to save around 1.2 billion litres of water a day.
Although the Government is primarily focussed on water using products connected to the main water supply, the consultation document does not provide any exemption for marine products which, by their necessity tend to be highly water efficient. The label would apply to all water using products at the point of sale, for example toilets, taps, non-electric shower outlet services etc.
British Marine is of the view that were such a water efficiency label applied to marine products it would make very little difference except to increase costs on manufacturers. Boatbuilders and owners strive to install the most efficient equipment since water onboard is always at a premium. The boats that have water intensive equipment tend to be super or mega yachts, the majority of which make their own water for use onboard.
Although the Government is not minded to include any exemptions British Marine will submit a formal response urging an exemption be granted given how highly water efficient marine water products already are.
If you would like to help inform British Marine’s response please email your comments direct to Joanna Richardson, Senior Public Affairs Officer, at jrichardson@britishmarine.co.uk by close of play Friday 11 November.
Further information about the Government’s consultation can be found here.
