AMDEA Conference 2025: How can we ensure a sustainable appliance future?

The home appliance industry has an important part to play in achieving net-zero goals, a sustainable future and the circular economy, but there needs to be a more joined-up approach from the supply chain and stakeholders, including Government, and there’s still a big job to do when it comes to educating consumers on how they use appliances – these were just some of the key issues highlighted at this year’s AMDEA Conference.

Themed around ‘The Roadmap to a Sustainable Appliance Future’ and held in partnership with City St George’s University in London, the conference (May 1, City St George’s University of London campus), which was hosted by technology broadcaster, Maggie Philbin, OBE, also covered topics including safety, repairability, responsible recycling, smart tech, and inclusive design.

Two panels of expert guest speakers discussed the role appliances and new technology must play in sustainability and the circular economy.

In his opening keynote speech, AMDEA CEO, Paul Hide, explained how the appliance industry is making great strides when it comes to achieving net zero.

“We all recognise that achieving a fully circular economy – one with net zero impact from creation to disposal – is no small task. But as an industry, we stand firm in our commitment to making it happen. The progress we’ve already made is undeniable,” he said.

Mr Hide added: “AMDEA has, for more than three years, focused on educating appliance owners and users via our Know Watt’s What  householder sustainability messaging.”

Know Watt’s What is AMDEA’s campaign to support an increase in appliance users’ awareness of how to use products at their most efficient and the impact this can have on their household energy and water consumption.

“We continue to work hard to spread this message as wide as possible and encourage all manufacturers and channel partners to promote and sell these key sustainability messages – information that many customers now demand from their suppliers and service partners,” said Mr Hide.

He added that AMDEA is committed to supporting extended product life through maintenance, repair and spare parts, refurbishment and used appliance marketplaces, but all with a major focus on safe repair and resale.

“Our biggest challenge will be ensuring that repairs are done correctly and safely, using parts that meet the required minimum specifications,” said Mr Hide.

“Electrocution, injury and fires are all risks if repairs are undertaken by those without the required minimum levels of knowledge and training.”

Mr Hide also highlighted the benefits of AMDEA’s Register My Appliance campaign – an initiative for householders to register all their appliances, so that manufacturers can reach owners in the rare event of a safety intervention requirement.

AMDEA has called on the UK Government to address four key issues in the home appliance sector which it believes will help accelerate the move towards the net zero-home:

• Offering standardised messaging and information on providing savings for the consumer.
• Changes to the Green Home-type grant schemes, including ‘Best in Class’ energy and water-efficient appliances and purchase incentives.
• Incentivising repair over replacement.
• Supporting and incentivising R & D.

“We recognise that this changing world will require a change in business models,” said Mr Hide.

“If we keep our appliances for longer, will that mean fewer appliances are sold in a mature UK marketplace? Quite possibly – appliance reliability has increased significantly over time, and the average life of large household appliances is commonly 15 years or more.”

Closing keynote speaker, environmental campaigner and writer, Sir Jonathon Porritt, CBE, gave a frank speech, which included a stark warning on climate change.

He also criticised the state of politics – both in the UK and the US – and urged policy makers and politicians to cut back on their rhetoric and regulatory confusion.

Sir Jonathon described policy making as ‘dysfunctional,’ and said it is struggling to tackle the issues involved with a low-carbon and net zero- economy.

He said the appliance industry has a great opportunity to improve the environment by using efficient technology, but it needs to provide clarity – durability and circularity are also key.

“There is a lot of ambivalence amongst consumers, as well as confusion, indifference and, sometimes, total apathy – they are not being led to the water to enjoy all the information that’s made available by the industry,” he said.

“I hope we can look towards a world where the appliances we buy might become more expensive at the point of purchase, but we pay back that increased investment through a longer lifetime of efficient, well-maintained operation.

AMDEA will be publishing a full report from the conference in the next few weeks. It will be available on our website and highlighted in our digital communications with members.