The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is investigating boiler company Worcester Bosch over concerns it may be misleading shoppers in its marketing of boilers as ‘hydrogen-blend ready’.
The investigation will focus on Worcester Bosch’s hydrogen-blend home boilers, and whether the marketing claims made about these products may mislead shoppers into thinking they are more environmentally friendly than they are.
The CMA will focus descriptions and information about the environmental benefits of ‘hydrogen-blend ready’ boilers which may falsely suggest that these boilers will reduce a household’s carbon footprint.
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CMA senior director for consumer protection George Lusty said: “Businesses need to be clear about the environmental credentials of the products they’re selling. This is especially important for heating products like home boilers, which are an expensive and long-term purchase.
“We set out our concerns earlier this year about businesses marketing boilers as ‘hydrogen-blend’. We’ll now be scrutinising green claims from Worcester Bosch to see if they mislead shoppers,” he continued.
“In the meantime, we’ll continue to keep a close eye on practices in the sector,” added Lusty.
A Worcester Bosch spokesperson told Sustainability Beat: “We are in receipt of notice of investigation from the CMA and are assisting them in full with provision of information as requested.”
The news follows companies such as British Gas, Boiler Central and Worcester Bosch removing statements regarding homeowners installing boilers powered by hydrogen.
