MPs Catch Up with EEESafe

Following our blog from last week on the Shepherds Bush Fire caused by a Product Recall, we now see that MP Andy Slaughter is calling for another independent Register and has tabled a motion to garner more MP Support.

So we thought we bring to his attention that in 2011 we asked the Dept of Communities and Local Government to consider bringing in a Standard, for the Safe Repair and Refurbishment of White Goods Appliances.  They didn't see the need, so we set up EEESafe, and have since put some safer practices and great innovation behind the Model, including integration with our developing Community LocalitEEE Project, helping to evidence our contributions to Waste Prevention, Better design and Social outcomes.

We also sent and distributed our Safer Homes Flyer, (published in 2014) to all Welsh Local Authorities, Dept of BIS and some national and local Charities, but failed to secure more engagement from those organisations.  We finally hope that our EEESafe standard will gain more recognition and that these organisations will now engage and reap the multiple benefits for communities and citizens working with EEESafe,  Not only in Safety but in how the model contributes cash, currency and local job creation into communities where citizens live.

During the current wave of interest in Recalled Product Fires, we are still calling for the removal of AMDEA on the Recall Steering Group.  Previously we  wrote to them, BIS and CTSi (Trading Standards) proposing joint co-operation in a single Register which we created first as independent from Manufacturers.  This has gone largely unanswered, like many communications with that Government Dept as we believe there is pressure on Government to please the Manufacturers.

History shows that citizens have been let down by them, and EEESafe maintains that every home has a right to know the make and model of any appliance that has caused a fire. However this must be accompanied by a warning that it's not necessarily a direct fault of the Product as owners must follow manufacturer instructions on safe use.

However, when it's a known Recall , EEESafe maintains it will inform it's owners who Register with EEESafe as well as work with the Fire Service to identify Makes and Models if an appliance is unidentifiable after a fire.  Currently a Freedom of Information request is required and the timescale off this knowledge is far too long for the safety of a home owner, tenant or a neighbour who could be impacted by inaction.  Citizens have a right to know, and Trust can not be holistically given to Manufacturers on these Groups.

So we applaud Andy Slaughter, and the New Minister Margot James for their recent attention to again reviewing the standards around Product Recalls.  It surely cannot be morally correct to allow only the Manufacturers to hold a single ownership of a Safety Register now, or ever.  Our door is open to engage and bring our industry wide experience to the table. This Government are committed to Transparent Government so lets hope we see the proof in the coming weeks and months.  Safety at home is not a subject that should take too long to address in this sector.  Lets act before we lose any more lives caused by something that could have been prevented.

Please share our Article and also the Appliance Register Leaflet.