The Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances (AMDEA) has slammed Which? for causing “unnecessary fear and alarm” among consumers over plastic-backed cooling.

AMDEA stated its disappointment with the consumer watchdog, which has called for all plastic-backed fridges, freezers and fridge freezers to be removed from sale.

UK trade association AMDEA pointed out all appliances placed on the market are required by law to be safe and tested to the safety standards prevailing at the time.

Sponsored Video

Quarter sawn Tulipwood

It stated safety standards are continuously revised and each revision is implemented by manufacturers as soon as possible thereby ensuring each generation of product is safer than the last.

AMDEA emphasised this does not mean products already on the market are unsafe, stating “it is irresponsible and misleading to suggest otherwise”.

It further pointed out the latest revision to the domestic refrigeration safety standard is the result of a collaboration driven by experts from organisations including British Standards Institute, UK Fire and Rescue services, manufacturers and AMDEA.

According to AMDEA, it is one instance of the continuing process of reappraisal of safety standards but stated it exemplifies the positive approach the industry takes to improving safety.

The trade association said it was “disappointed to see that Which? are attempting to intervene in the process and cause unnecessary fear and alarm among consumers.”

A spokesperson for AMDEA said: “Consumers should be re-assured that all appliances on the market have to be safe and tested to the rigorous safety standards prevailing at the time. These standards are continuously revised or improved, but this does not mean that a previous generation of products is unsafe.

“The aim of the latest revision in relation to refrigeration, now being rolled out around the world, is to improve fire retardance in case a fire starts elsewhere in the home. It is an additional safeguard. Fires starting in a fridge are extremely rare.”