Refrigeration energy consultations
UK Government evidence on energy related products
In March 2021 the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Government (BEIS) published the responses from their call for evidence on energy related products (ErPs), i.e. products that have a direct or indirect impact on energy consumption during use (https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/energy-related-products-call-for-evidence). The call for evidence asked for views on how the UK could maximise the benefits of energy related product policy moving on from the UK’s exit from the European Union and the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020. The review did not cover all ErPs, only cooking appliances, lighting, water pumps, boilers, heat pumps, electric motors, space cooling and ventilation). Seventy-four responses were received. Most respondents agreed that better measures could be introduced for the considered products and these included more emphasis on lifetime cost, whole system efficiency, repairability, better market surveillance and improved policy levers and incentives to increase uptake of the most energy efficient products. The report states that results from the consultation will be used for ongoing policy development.
UK Energy-related Products Policy Study
In addition, UK Government has recently launched the UK Energy-related Products Policy Study (https://erpproductspolicystudy.uk/). The aim of the study is to identify ErPs which have the greatest environmental impact considering in particular their contribution to carbon emissions and resource depletion and have the most potential for improving their environmental performance. This is aimed at providing an initial indication of which policy measures may be most appropriate in encouraging better environmental performance and driving the uptake of more energy and resource efficient products and systems. The study is much wider ranging than the BEIS consultation described above. Originally the study included 262 products, but this was reduced to 187 products after a consolidation exercise. The study includes horizontal measures that cover all technologies and measures applied to individual technologies. The list includes the following refrigeration or refrigerated related products that are already part of eco-design and/or energy labelling:
Other refrigeration products also shortlisted and not listed above include:
- Curtains, blinds, doors and covers for refrigerated display cabinets
- Oil free air compressors
- Refrigeration compressors
The study is due to be completed by the end of March 2021. You still have time to reply at: https://erpproductspolicystudy.uk/product-groups-and-horizontal-measures.
Ecodesign and energy labelling review of Professional Refrigeration Products
As mentioned above an EU review is being undertaken on Professional Refrigeration Products. This will provide advice and inform updates to the energy labelling and eco-design regulations. A launch meeting took place on 18 February 2021. Information on the meeting and documents submitted by stakeholders can be viewed at: https://www.ecoprorefrigeration.eu/documents.htm.
Comments submitted so far include those from Denmark (from Gram Commercial) requesting that the following products are incorporated into the study:
- Professional ice machines (producing ice for drinks etc.)
- Dehumidifiers (professional and domestic)
- Water dispensers
- Dessert and beverage machines (soft ice, milk shake and slush ice)
- ULT freezers (Ultra Low Temperature freezers)
A number of issues are raised such as the imbalance of performance ambition between chillers and freezers. It is clear from work RD&T have done and from a simple analysis of the regulations that small cabinets have an advantage and that it is easier to obtain a better energy label for a chiller than a freezer. These issues will be reviewed and suggestions to update the regulations for professional cabinets made to the EU.
Product Safety Review: Call for Evidence
The UK Government is also inviting views on the long-term approach to product safety and how to ensure that the regulatory framework is fit for the future. Information is sought on issues such as ease of understanding of current safety regulations, where regulation should be strengthened or better targeted, how regulation can support innovation, enforcement, and whether there should be better explanation and presentation of safety to end users. It should be noted that the consultation does not cover food, chemicals, medical or healthcare products, construction products or vehicles, all of which are regulated separately.
The consultation has recently opened and closes at 11:45pm on 3 June 2021. For further information or to provide comments please click on: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/uk-product-safety-review-call-for-evidence (or email BEIS at: productsafetyreview@beis.gov.uk).
Temporary tax reliefs on qualifying capital asset investments from 1 April 2021
Lastly some good news for companies. Increased reliefs for expenditure on plant and machinery designed to stimulate business investment have been announced. For qualifying expenditures incurred from 1 April 2021 up to and including 31 March 2023 the following will be allowable:
- A super-deduction providing allowances of 130% on most new plant and machinery investments that ordinarily qualify for 18% main rate writing down allowances.
- A first year allowance of 50% on most new plant and machinery investments that ordinarily qualify for 6% special rate writing down allowances.
If you would like further information on any of the above initiatives then please contact Judith Evans at RD&T (j.a.evans@rdandt.co.uk).