Not Before (Their) Time

The UK Business and Energy Secretary has announced 'tough, new rules' on electrical goods (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/mar/10/tough-new-rules-aim-to-make-electrical-goods-last-longer). The rules are intended to make larger electrical devices (e.g. dishwashers, fridges, TV's and washing machines) last longer and use less electricity. Manufacturers appear to build in 'premature obsolescence', meaning that purchasers have had to buy a replacement sooner (increasing their profits). The rules will force them to make spare parts for their machines available to consumers (so they can be repaired rather than junked). This may add up to 10 years to the 'lives' of these electrical goods. It might also reduce, the 1.5m tonnes of electrical waste, produced each year in the UK (also expensive to deal with). A more realistic labelling scheme for the electrical efficiency of machines, is intended make it easier for purchasers to choose 'white goods' and TVs using less electricity. This would help to cut carbon emissions, an urgent need.