Worcester Bosch: consumer protection case
The CMA investigated Worcester Bosch바카라 사이트檚 marketing of its 바카라 사이트榟ydrogen-blend ready바카라 사이트� boilers. This investigation formed part of the CMA바카라 사이트檚 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 | 바카라 사이트楥onsultation바카라 사이트� 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:
-
change or remove any existing marketing materials of concern to the CMA, including where this states or otherwise gives the impression that:
-
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
-
a Worcester Bosch boiler 바카라 사이트榝uture-proofs바카라 사이트� a consumer바카라 사이트檚 heating system on account of its ability to operate with a hydrogen blend
-
-
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 Bosch바카라 사이트檚 compliance with the undertakings.
- (signed on 1 August 2024) (9.8.24)
- Press release: Leading UK boiler brand is changing marketing practices following CMA action (9.8.24)
바카라 사이트楥onsultation바카라 사이트� letter issued to Worcester Bosch
7 June 2024: The CMA has issued a letter (referred to in the relevant statute as a 바카라 사이트榗onsultation letter바카라 사이트�) to Bosch Thermotechnology Limited (바카라 사이트榃orcester Bosch바카라 사이트�) formally putting it on notice of its concerns in relation to possible breaches of consumer protection law. The letter details the CMA바카라 사이트檚 specific concerns about whether Worcester Bosch바카라 사이트檚 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 CMA바카라 사이트檚 letter.
Case opening
17 October 2023: The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has opened an investigation into Bosch Thermotechnology Limited바카라 사이트檚 (trading as Worcester Bosch) compliance with consumer protection law.
The CMA is investigating Worcester Bosch바카라 사이트檚 marketing practices in relation to its so-called 바카라 사이트榟ydrogen-blend ready바카라 사이트� 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 release: Investigation into boiler company over 바카라 사이트榞reen바카라 사이트� claims (17.10.23)
Contact
Please send written representations about any competition or public interest to: general.enquiries@cma.gov.uk.
Updates to this page
-
Undertakings accepted and published.
-
Update on 'consultation' letter published.
-
First published.