What is Lot 20?

The Ecodesign Directive aims to set mandatory minimum requirements for individual product groups.

It provides EU-wide rules putting a duty of care on manufacturers to improve the efficiency of their products. It also means that products that are unable to achieve compliance will no longer be manufactured or imported, removing inefficient products from EU and UK markets.

Lot 20 states that all local space heaters manufactured for sale in the EU after 1st January 2018 which use electricity, gaseous or liquid fuels, must comply with a minimum efficiency standard. This includes:

· Storage heaters

· Direct acting heating (panel heaters and electric radiators)

· Portable heaters

· Underfloor heating

· Radiant heaters

· Electric and gas fires

A second regulation (2015/1185) sets out the same requirement for space heaters which use solid fuels, such as stoves and fireplaces, from 1st January 2022.

Whether you are a consumer, landlord or housing association, you do not need to replace your existing heaters. Just be aware that non-compliant products will no longer be manufactured from the 1st January 2018, but can still be sold after that date until they are cleared through the market. This means that there is no immediate need for a review of your heating, just a change in what is available to you if you do look to undertake refurbishment and replacement projects in the future.