11.03.2024
Following revelations that the Office for Product Safety and Standards (OPSS) found over 85% of domestic heating circulators it inspected last year were non-compliant, distributors and installers are being urged to look out for ‘fake’ pumps as they could pose a safety hazard to consumers.
The callout by Wilo, the efficiency-first pump manufacturer, leads on from the OPSS’ Delivery report 2022-2023, in which the UK Government department also disclosed that it had de-listed 38 domestic heating circulation pumps from sale.
Now, Wilo is urging distributors and installers to think twice, and check pumps hold the right certifications and markings before stocking or installing them in homes and heating systems. The manufacturer strongly advises that if it is ‘too good to be true’, then it is most likely non-compliant and wants industry to spot the warning signs.
Lee Tebbatt, Managing Director of Wilo UK, said: “We’ve seen a swathe of non-compliant pumps make their way onto the market, and in many cases, they are manufactured to look like the real deal. We welcome the work the OPSS is doing to weed out these fake heating circulation pumps, but while the problem is still ongoing, it’s imperative that distributors, merchants and installers know how to spot a fake.
“First and foremost, it is about safety and security for the public. Non-compliant circulator pumps may use low-quality motors, components and materials, and if they have not been tested and accredited correctly, they could break down earlier than expected, cost more energy and money to run, and even be dangerous. Secondly, if found to be selling non-compliant pumps, not only could the products be de-listed by the OPSS and stock taken away to be destroyed, but there is a chance that there could be further legal ramifications or prosecution.”
There are three checks Wilo is urging distributors and installers make on domestic heating circulation pumps, which are to:
1. Check the pump’s CE Marking
2. Check that the pump comes from a reputable pump manufacturer
3. Be cautious if the pump is significantly cheaper than similar market alternatives
The scale of the problem was first brought to the OPSS’ attention last year by the British Pump Manufacturers Association (BPMA), of which Lee Tebbatt sits on the board as Vice President. The BPMA and Wilo first uncovered that an estimated 100,000 non-compliant domestic heating circulation pumps being manufactured abroad were making their way onto the UK market annually.
“Between Wilo, the BPMA, the OPSS and other pump manufacturers, we are working hard to end the problem of non-compliant pumps entering the UK market,” continued Lee. “It is vital that the supply chain and installers also work with us to ensure these products are not unknowingly sold on or fitted in peoples’ homes.”
Wayne Rose, CEO of the BPMA, said: “The British Pump Manufacturers Association (BPMA) is deeply concerned by the recent announcement from the Office for Product Safety and Standards regarding the prevalence of non-compliant circulator pumps in the UK market. The findings raise serious questions about the efficacy of current regulatory measures governing circulator pumps. Non-compliant products not only offer significant reductions in energy efficiency values but also undermine the integrity of the pump industry and erode trust in regulatory processes.
“In response to these developments, the BPMA reaffirms its commitment to promoting excellence and compliance within the pump industry. The association stands ready to collaborate with the OPSS and other relevant bodies to develop and implement measures that enhance product safety and integrity.”
To help distributors and installers even further, Wilo has created a FAQs page on its website about non-compliant pumps. CLICK HERE to find out more.