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28th January 2021
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AMDEA responds to Which? report on 'unsafe' appliances
Following the report published by Which? on refrigeration standards which listed those companies it considered to be manufacturing products that are not as safe as they could be, AMDEA, the UK trade association for manufacturers of large and small domestic appliances which represents over 85% of the domestic appliance industry and nearly 90% of white goods brands, has issued the following statement:
"Consumers should be reassured that all appliances on the market have to be safe and tested to the rigorous safety standards prevailing at the time. These standards are continuously revised or improved, but this does not mean that a previous generation of products is unsafe.
The aim of the latest revision in relation to refrigeration, now being rolled out around the world, is to improve fire retardance in case a fire starts elsewhere in the home. It is an additional safeguard. Fires starting in a fridge are extremely rare.
All appliances placed on the market are required by law to be safe and tested to the safety standards prevailing at the time. These standards are continuously revised.
Each revision to a safety standard is implemented by manufacturers as soon as possible thereby ensuring that each generation of product is safer than the last. This does not mean that products already on the market are unsafe, and it is irresponsible, and misleading to suggest otherwise.
The latest revision to the domestic refrigeration safety standard, currently being rolled out around the world, is the result of a positive collaboration driven by experts from numerous organisations including the British Standards Institution, UK Fire and Rescue Services, manufacturers and AMDEA.
This is merely one instance of the continuing process of reappraisal of safety standards, but it exemplifies the positive approach that our industry takes to improving safety.
AMDEA is disappointed to see that Which? are attempting to intervene in this process and cause unnecessary fear and alarm among consumers.
The aim with refrigeration - as with all domestic furniture, fixtures and fittings - is to improve fire retardance in case a fire starts elsewhere in the home. Fires starting in a fridge are extremely rare."
6th April 2018