The Heating and Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC) and Hot Water Association (HWA) have welcomed confirmation that the implementation date for the Smart and Secure Electricity Systems (SSES) Programme’s Energy Smart Appliance (ESA) Regulations will be extended for in-scope electrical heating appliances (EHAs).
Following extensive engagement, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has informed HHIC and HWA that the date for implementation will move from 31 December 2027, and will now be 31 October 2028, or two years after the regulations are made.
Stewart Clements, HHIC’s director, said: “We welcome this announcement from DESNZ, which provides much-needed certainty for manufacturers of electrical heating appliances. The additional time will allow them to properly understand and implement the new requirements, make the necessary design and investment decisions, undertake testing and certification and bring compliant products to market in a considered and effective way.
“The original proposed timescale presented significant challenges for manufacturers, particularly around the availability of appropriate testing and certification capacity. Extending the implementation period recognises the complexity of the requirements and gives the industry the time it needs to prepare properly, without compromising the government’s ambition for a smarter, more flexible electricity system.
“We are also pleased that DESNZ has listened to concerns raised by industry around certification and test house capacity. The proposed acceptance of EU Measuring Instruments Directive compliance as equivalent to the GB Measuring Instruments Regulations, together with EN 18031-3:2024 as an alternative route for cyber security compliance alongside ETSI EN 303 645, should provide greater flexibility and help reduce unnecessary duplication for manufacturers supplying both EU and GB markets.
“This is a good example of what can be achieved when government and industry engage openly and constructively. HHIC has worked closely with DESNZ throughout this process, raising the practical concerns of manufacturers while supporting the wider objectives of the SSES programme. We believe the revised approach represents a much better balance between delivering the government’s policy ambitions and ensuring the industry has the time and infrastructure needed to deliver them successfully.”
Adrian Waddelove, HWA’s manager, added: “The revised timeline is a positive outcome for manufacturers, importers and ultimately consumers. It gives businesses the confidence to plan their product development and investment, while allowing time for guidance and testing specifications to be properly established.
“For regulation of this scale to work effectively, it is important that the supply chain has sufficient time to understand what is required and that appropriate testing and certification capacity is available. The changes announced by DESNZ recognise these practical realities.
“We have been pleased with the level of engagement from officials and the willingness to consider the evidence and concerns put forward by industry. The outcome demonstrates the value of government and industry working collaboratively towards a practical solution.
“We will continue to engage with DESNZ as the regulations progress, helping to ensure that the final framework supports innovation and consumer choice while delivering the smart, secure and flexible energy system that government and industry both want to achieve.”
HHIC and HWA will continue to work with DESNZ and its members as the formal government Response is published and the regulations are laid later this year.