AMDEA launches push to encourage consumer repairs over replacement

The AMDEA Summer Consumer Insights Report indicates that over half of consumers (55.6 per cent) would be more trusting of an independent repairer if they had industry accreditation, and 63 per cent would be willing to pay more for an accredited repair engineer.

Work is underway to develop a nationally recognised accreditation or licensing scheme to give consumers reassurance that their appliance will be repaired according to the highest standards by a qualified repair engineer, with an aspiration to launch the scheme in 2027.

The Associate Member Group is also focusing on developing data around the repairs and refurbishment market. Professionally refurbished appliances represent a growing market, with more than a third of consumers now open to buying a refurbished appliance according to AMDEA's latest research.

AMDEA members have been investing in state-of-the-art diagnostics, spare parts warehousing and training for repair engineers. Many offer flexible warranty schemes at a wider variety of price points to make repairs more affordable for customers.

Work is ongoing to use smart and AI technology to enable appliances to self-diagnose, with AMDEA investing in major research in partnership with City, St George's University of London and University College London.

AMDEA's planned Autumn Repair not Replace Campaign will aim to encourage consumers to consider repairing appliances before replacing them, to save money and reduce environmental impact. The campaign will build on the success of previous Know Watt's What campaigns, which urged consumers to utilise energy savings settings on appliances.

As the Government and EU move towards regulating to support more circular economies, a new repairability index for consumers is due to be rolled out on energy labels for tumble dryers in early 2027, with other categories to follow.

For more information about joining the AMDEA community, contact info@amdea.org.uk or visit www.amdea.org.uk.