I thank the Minister for his introduction to the two instruments before the Committee today. I am very happy to approve them; I agree that both are uncontroversial as well as sensible and obvious. Energy efficiency continues to be vital in reducing carbon and cost, while we all agree that high cross-border standards should continue to advance in tandem in order to lower barriers to trade. All this helps drive changes in consumer choice towards better products, innovation and improvements.
With the United Kingdom no longer a member state of the EU, it continues to make best sense to maintain improvements in step together across Britain, the United Kingdom and the EU. Can the Minister confirm that that will remain the Government’s intention for the future?
These regulations reflect similar approaches and outcomes. The Committee debated a related instrument at the beginning of June, covering labelling, online and internet selling and welding equipment. Today’s two instruments relate to servers, data-storage products, electronic displays and household products such as washing machines, dishwashers and refrigerators on the one hand and light sources and separate control gears on the other. Both Explanatory Memorandums were exemplary and reflected close dialogue with industry, businesses and associations, which underpins successful regulation and will bring confidence to the public in their engagement.
The energy labelling consultation across four weeks in March and April could be regarded as straightforward in that only three responses were forthcoming, so no guidance is envisaged. However, can the Minister be confident that business will be aware of these changes and how does the department envisage further dissemination of information for the measures to be fully operable from 1 October this year? Can the Minister provide any further details regarding the provisions and improved accuracy of the regulations highlighted under paragraph 10.3 of the memorandum, following input from these three consultees?
4 pm
The instrument on lighting makes some interesting changes, where the memorandum provides an impact assessment in detail for consideration. Under paragraph 7.6, the memorandum explains that labelling requirements for lighting products should secure
“an expected 10.6 TwH of electricity and 1.3 Mega-tonnes of CO2 by 2050.”
I was not sure whether the Minister mentioned slight variances to these figures that might give a different complexion to those savings. However, I congratulate
him on the more ambitious requirements than those that are presently set far below what could be reasonably achievable. Could the Minister put further perspectives on this? How many terawatt hours of electricity and megatonnes of CO2 are currently generated by the lighting industry and what percentage saving does the introduction of these regulations represent? It is imperative that the Government provide coherent and emphatic encouragement for progress towards net zero.
I am grateful to the noble Baroness, Lady Ritchie, who asked interesting questions concerning COP 26 and engagement of the public with purchases towards lowering the footprint of the lighting industry in relation to net zero. I am also encouraged by the rescaling of energy lighting labels to a simpler A to G scale. This should provide greater clarity to the market towards the most efficient projects with more intelligent and accurate information. It must be far from clear that the consumer at present appreciates the distinctions at the top end of the scale between A++ ratings and A+.
Finally, I note the concerns expressed under paragraph 10.3 on the
“possible health implications of certain lighting products for photo-sensitive people”,
and that these regulations place
“requirements on lighting products to limit any potential adverse health effects”.
Can the Minister say what considerations the Government are giving towards limiting light pollution in general? I noted that during the pandemic many areas, especially along motorways, limited the usage of lighting during the night hours. Have the Government undertaken any balance of considerations between light pollution and energy saving with safety concerns about dark areas on roads and in our cities?
In finishing, I remain in firm approval of these regulations.