EU consumers are meant to be getting better televisions, fridges, microwaves and other everyday products so that they do the same job at the same price, but using less energy. Unfortunately, some manufacturers and retailers aren’t following the rules. MarketWatch is a Europe-wide campaign to identify those companies flouting the rules, which in turn pushes up energy bills and adds to global warming. Hughes was the only retailer checked that scored a ‘green’ rating for compliance with the energy labelling.
What is “MarketWatch”?
Sixteen civil society organisations from all across Europe have come together to form MarketWatch. By launching a thorough and sustained campaign of testing everyday products in shops and online, MarketWatch shines a spotlight on those manufacturers and retailers that fail to follow EU regulations, thereby depriving their customers of the energy savings they think they are getting. MarketWatch will carry out 110 shops and 110 internet stores three times over during the project (660 all together), plus 100 simplified and 20 full lab product tests, with results applicable in 10 E.U countries.
Why this campaign?
European eco-design and energy labelling rules require many products to adhere to energy consumption limits, as well as other environmental criteria. Market surveillance helps ensure a level playing field for manufacturers and traders, which in turn helps reduce our energy bills.
It is estimated that the Ecodesign Directive alone could save Europe €90 billion a year by 2020; that’s around €280 (just over £200) for every household in the EU. The climate is another big winner when the rules are being followed, with this campaign standing to prevent two million tonnes of CO2 from destabilising our climate each year. Unfortunately, it seems this isn’t always the case…
The results from the first survey
The survey of 111 online retailers and 114 high street shops in 11 countries in late 2013 and early 2014 found that an average 62% of online products had missing or incorrect EU energy label information. The most common problem was information shown in the wrong order, risking consumer misunderstanding.
Here at Hughes we want to ensure that we always give customers access to the correct information, so that you can make considered and informed purchases. We have worked hard to ensure that all the information that we provide is as accurate as possible and that’s why we’re delighted to be leading the way when it comes to helping customers.
