Worcester Bosch: consumer protection case
The CMA is investigating Worcester Bosch’s marketing of its ‘hydrogen-blend ready’ boilers. This investigation forms part of the CMA’s wider work looking at consumer protection issues in the green heating and insulation sector.
Case timetable
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 9 August 2024 | Undertakings accepted from Worcester Bosch |
| 7 June 2024 | ‘Consultation’ letter issued to Worcester Bosch |
| 17 October 2023 | Case launch |
Undertakings accepted from Worcester Bosch
9 August 2024: Worcester Bosch has signed undertakings about how it markets the ability of its boilers to operate with a blend of up to 20% hydrogen to make sure that customers can make well-informed decisions.
The undertakings commit Worcester Bosch to, amongst other things:
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change or remove any existing marketing materials of concern to the CMA, including where this states or otherwise gives the impression that:
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a consumer will reduce their carbon footprint or achieve an environmental benefit by having a Worcester Bosch boiler because it can run on a blend of up to 20% hydrogen
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a Worcester Bosch boiler ‘future-proofs’ a consumer’s heating system on account of its ability to operate with a hydrogen blend
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contact its networks of Accredited installers and third-party retailers to inform them of the undertakings and ask them to revise, remove and/or retract any previous Worcester Bosch marketing material of concern to the CMA.
To ensure Worcester Bosch is complying with the undertakings it signed, it must report back to the CMA on its compliance with the undertakings.
The CMA has closed its enforcement case against Worcester Bosch but will monitor Worcester Bosch’s compliance with the undertakings.
- (signed on 1 August 2024) (9.8.24)
- Press notice: Leading UK boiler brand is changing marketing practices following CMA action (9.8.24)
‘Consultation’ letter issued to Worcester Bosch
7 June 2024: The CMA has issued a letter (referred to in the relevant statute as a ‘consultation letter’) to Bosch Thermotechnology Limited (‘Worcester Bosch’) formally putting it on notice of its concerns in relation to possible breaches of consumer protection law. The letter details the CMA’s specific concerns about whether Worcester Bosch’s marketing claims relating to its hydrogen-blend ready boilers (that is, boilers that can run on a blend of up to 20% hydrogen) mislead consumers. The CMA has asked Worcester Bosch to take steps to address these concerns. Worcester Bosch now has an opportunity to respond to the CMA’s letter.
Case opening
17 October 2023: The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has opened an investigation into Bosch Thermotechnology Limited’s (trading as Worcester Bosch) compliance with consumer protection law.
The CMA is investigating Worcester Bosch’s marketing practices in relation to its so-called ‘hydrogen-blend ready’ home boilers.
The CMA will now engage with Worcester Bosch and gather further evidence to consider whether the company has broken consumer protection law. The CMA is at the initial stage of its investigation. Accordingly, it should not be assumed that Worcester Bosch has broken consumer protection law.
The CMA has also written to 12 other businesses to warn them that they could be breaching consumer protection law after reviewing their marketing to consumers, and to remind them of their legal obligations.
- Press notice: Investigation into boiler company over ‘green’ claims (17.10.23)
Contact
- Director, Maria Duarte maria.duarte@cma.gov.uk
- Senior Responsible Officer, Hayley Fletcher hayley.fletcher@cma.gov.uk
Updates to this page
Published 17 October 2023Last updated 9 August 2024 + show all updates
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Undertakings accepted and published.
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Update on 'consultation' letter published.
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First published.