The UK Government has launched a public consultation aimed at raising product standards for household tumble dryers, with proposals that could reshape the market and deliver significant benefits to consumers and the environment.
Led by the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero, the consultation outlines plans to repeal and replace two key EU regulations—392/2012 (energy labelling) and 932/2012 (ecodesign)—with a new Statutory Instrument (SI) tailored to the UK market. This move is part of a broader strategy to improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and support the UK’s net zero ambitions.
Key benefits could include:
Retra members involved in the sale, distribution, or servicing of tumble dryers are encouraged to review the proposals and submit their views.
Led by the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero, the consultation outlines plans to repeal and replace two key EU regulations—392/2012 (energy labelling) and 932/2012 (ecodesign)—with a new Statutory Instrument (SI) tailored to the UK market. This move is part of a broader strategy to improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and support the UK’s net zero ambitions.
What’s Changing?
The proposed SI would introduce updated ecodesign and energy labelling requirements that favour heat pump tumble dryers, which are significantly more energy-efficient than traditional condenser models.Key benefits could include:
- £250 net savings over 12 years for consumers switching to heat pump models.
- £900 net benefit over a 20-year product lifetime.
- 0.91 MtCO2e carbon savings and 30,280 GWh energy savings by 2050.
Retra members involved in the sale, distribution, or servicing of tumble dryers are encouraged to review the proposals and submit their views.
Access the Consultation
- Accessible Summary
- Full Consultation Document (PDF)
- Closing date: 14 August 2025
