The role of appliances and consumer electronics in our carbon emissions reduction targets

This consultation follows a commitment made in the government response to the CERT extension to December 2012, in which it undertook to consult further before making final decisions on the role of products.

In the consultation we propose there are several core principles against which any measure to be promoted under CERT should be assessed:

• confidence that carbon savings are realised
• avoidance of deadweight
• focus on non-traded sector
• positive impact on vulnerable households
• contributes to scheme transparency

Government is likely to want to introduce restrictions, from April 2011, on any product where evidence of meeting these principles is lacking.

We therefore invite stakeholders to provide comments on the principles we propose and evidence on how specific products being considered meet these principles. Stakeholders are also invited to consider alternative approaches and solutions to ensuring the CERT scheme is optimised to promote energy-saving measures that consumers want and need support in taking up, on which we can have assurance they will be installed and replace less efficient alternatives therefore saving the awarded lifetime carbon saving score.

The decisions we make will not only impact on the appliances, consumer electronics and other gadgets to be considered specifically here, but also the level of support available for key heating and insulation measures, as more of these measures will be installed if there are fewer competing options for energy suppliers to support. It is therefore vitally important that DECC receives views and evidence from all interested parties.

The deadline for responses to the consultation is 7 January 2011.

Details about submitting a response can be found in the ‘How to Respond’ section of the document.

Email: ECO.obligation@decc.gsi.gov.uk

Following the consultation close and having considered the consultation responses, the Government will publish a summary of responses and announce policy decisions. Should decisions be taken to amend the scheme, these may be enforced through the operational supplier guidance or through an amending Order, which would require agreement in Parliament.

We would seek to bring in any changes as soon as possible and preferably from 1 April 2011.

Consultation document: CERT - the role of appliances and consumer electronics in CERT

Impact assessment: CERT - the role of appliances and consumer electronics in CERT