Defra confirms plans for mandatory water labelling of white goods

Defra has confirmed household goods such as washing machines, dishwashers and toilets will have to carry water efficiency labels.

The aim is for these labels to echo energy efficiency labels, with a category rating from A to F. The government will continue to engage with industry on further details, such as how each category will be defined and the visual design of the label.

Defra said labels will help reduce usage by 20% per person by 2038, by encouraging consumers to choose efficient devices. Projections based on research from the Energy Saving Trust, funded by Defra and Waterwise, anticipate mandatory labelling could save £125m on water bills and £147m on energy bills over ten years, and 1,200m litres of water a day across the UK.