Yvonne Orgill, Chief Executive at
the BMA, responds to HM Government Water for Life White Paper
The government has made it clear in
its White Paper that the bathroom industry must now take immediate steps to help
educate consumers and explain the necessity in choosing the most water efficient
bathroom fittings.
On behalf of its members, the BMA is
committed to delivering impartial advice and delivering change as the government
advocates in the paper. The BMA has taken water efficiency seriously since 2006
when the Water Efficient Product Labelling Scheme (WEPLS) was introduced,
leading the charge to help consumers make an informed decision when selecting
products for their bathroom.
The BMA is working with Waste and
Resources Action Programme (WRAP) to encourage developers and facilities
managers to embed water efficiency into new and refurbished buildings, as well
as with DIY retailers and facilities managers to increase the sale of water
efficient products.
There is tremendous opportunity to
help change and alter consumer behaviour little by little. It will take
concerted effort, so the industry must unite behind a clear and single message
whether you are a manufacturer, merchant, retailer, installer or
designer.
However, the government has also
made it clear that they are not afraid to regulate and introduce a mandatory
scheme should industry fail to act decisively. This is in nobody’s interest and
will be costly and cumbersome.
We must take immediate steps to
avoid this and convince government everyone within the industry is serious about
water efficiency. If your products are not WEPLS listed, now is the time to get
them accredited. If you have products on the scheme, then now is the time to
actively promote them.
The government says it wishes to
create a water sector in which innovation can flourish. Today we must rally as
an industry and help to deliver exactly this.
For more information about the BMA
and WEPLS, visit www.water-efficiencylabel.org.uk. For the full White Paper, visit
http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/cm82/8230/8230.pdf.