CMA launches probe into marketing of boilers as ‘hydrogen-blend ready’

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an investigation into Worcester Bosch over concerns it may be misleading consumers with “confusing or inaccurate” claims in the advertising and labelling of its gas boilers.

The body said the marketing of boilers as ‘hydrogen-blend ready’ may mislead consumers into thinking that they are more environmentally friendly than is actually the case.

The CMA said labels and texts stating its boilers can run on a blend of 20% hydrogen with natural gas may give the false impression that this is a special feature, despite the fact that all boilers sold in the UK have been legally required to be capable of running on a 23% blend since the mid-1990s.

The competition watchdog said it will also examine the manufacturer’s information and messaging on the use of hydrogen for home heating given that this is not currently possible, is potentially years away from becoming a reality and is dependent on future government decisions.

It said the company’s descriptions and information about the environmental benefits of ‘hydrogen-blend ready’ boilers may falsely suggest that they will reduce households’ carbon footprints.

The CMA has also written to 12 other businesses that have been marketing gas boilers as ‘hydrogen-blend ready’ to warn them that they could be breaching consumer protection law and to remind them of their legal obligations.

Its latest investigation is part of a wider programme of work looking at consumer protection in the green heating and insulation sector. Earlier this year, the CMA published a report which highlighted concerns that a number of businesses were potentially making misleading claims online about the use of hydrogen in gas boilers and put the sector on notice for further action.

George Lusty, senior director for consumer protection at the CMA, 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.

He continued: “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.

“In the meantime, we’ll continue to keep a close eye on practices in the sector.”

The CMA said it cannot currently impose fines for breaches of consumer law, although the government is seeking to give it and other regulators this power as part of the new Digital Markets, Competition and Consumer Bill. The body said it can instead enforce consumer law through the courts, including seeking redress for those affected.

Responding to the announcement, Worcester Bosch said in a statement: “We are in receipt of notice of investigation from the CMA and are assisting them in full with provision of information as requested.”