Legislation

AMDEA is committed to working with its members to ensure thatproposed Government regulation relating to the appliances industry is proportionate and effective.

Product legislation is typically set at EU level and then transposed into UK law. The UK leaving the EU may require AMDEA to duplicate our work with policy-makers to ensure UK consumers can still access the best of the appliances on the market. AMDEA focuses on legislation related to safety, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and environmental protection.  Of these, the laws to protect the environment cover energy consumption, chemical use and end of life arrangements.

Standards cover all aspects of modern day life, but AMDEA focuses on those supporting European legislative requirements, such as safety, EMC, environment and performance.

AMDEA is also active in discussions on market surveillance policy and enforcement.  Each EU Member State is responsible for these in its own territory. AMDEA maintains strong links with the relevant UK Government Departments who have both legal and civil measures at their disposal.

Changes to the EU Legislative Framework

In 2019 a new EU Regulation on Market Surveillance and Compliance of Products entered into force, amending the 2008 Regulation on Accreditation and Market Surveillance. Its provisions will apply from 2021.

The new Regulation is intended to improve the functioning of the internal market by strengthening the market surveillance for products manufactured within Europe and enhancing the control of products entering the Single Market.  This could include product imported from the UK after we leave the EU.

Among the new provisions is the Union Product Compliance Network – a platform for coordination and cooperation between the enforcement authorities of the Member States and the Commission. This will be supported by Union testing facilities.