WIREDGOV

The National Measurement Office (NMO) has been appointed as market surveillance authority (MSA) under the European Union Energy Using Products and Energy Labelling Framework Directives, Defra announced today.

Environment Minister, Dan Norris said:

“We are pleased to announce the appointment of the National Measurement Office to do this important job. It is vital we ensure our energy using products are using less energy and are adhering to the standards we are setting to reduce emissions and reduce energy bills for everyone who buys them. This is a good way to bring together existing expertise, get value for money for the taxpayer and help protect the environment.”

National Measurement Office Chief Executive, Peter Mason, said:

"I am delighted that we will be working in partnership with Defra in taking on this additional enforcement responsibility. We are now in a position to deliver a wider range of market surveillance services in the UK. This latest expansion of our remit to include energy conservation fits well with our already established enforcement delivery in environmental protection.”

The MSA will be in place to make sure that product claims under energy labelling (such as “A-rated fridges”) and minimum energy standards are adhered to by manufacturers, and where necessary, retailers. This creates a level playing field for manufacturers by ensuring that standards are complied with by all and avoids consumers being misled into buying products that will cost them more in energy bills than they expect.

Notes to editors

1. The National Measurement Office is an Executive Agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and has responsibility for ensuring that trade measurements used by both industry and consumers are fair, accurate and legal. The Agency is responsible for all aspects of the national measurement system, which includes investment in the UK's scientific measurement infrastructure in addition to policy on legal metrology.

2. The NMO acts as the market surveillance authority under the Restriction of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations (RoHS), the Batteries and Accumulators (Placing on the Market) Regulations, the Non-automatic Weighing Instruments Regulations and the Measuring Instruments Directive implementing measures.

3. NMO’s Mission is: To provide a measurement infrastructure which supports innovation, facilitates fair competition, promotes international trade and protects consumers, health and the environment.

4. NMO began enforcing RoHS throughout the UK on 1 July 2006, and Batteries (Placing on the market)  Regulations on 26 September 2008.  The relevant websites can be accessed via www.rohs.gov.uk/ and www.rohs.gov.uk/batteries.