
Lee Tebbatt, Wilo UK managing director, draws the attention of distributors and installers of domestic heating circulators to ‘fake’ pumps following a finding by the Office of Product Safety and Security (OPSS) that over 85 per cent of devices it inspected in 2023 failed to comply with current guidelines or posed a hazard to consumers.
Between 2022 and 2023, the government de-listed 38 domestic heating circulation pumps from sale. If a pump seems ‘too good to be true’, it’s highly likely it is non-compliant..
We’ve seen a swathe of non-compliant pumps make their way onto the market, and in many cases, they are manufactured to look like the real deal.
We’ve seen a swathe of non-compliant pumps make their way onto the market, and in many cases, they are manufactured to look like the real deal.
We also welcome the work the OPSS is doing to weed out these heating circulation pumps. But for as long as the problem is ongoing, it is imperative that distributors, merchants and installers know how to spot a fake.
Non-compliant circulator pumps may use low-quality motors, components and materials, and if they have not been tested and accredited correctly …
The foremost consideration is the safety for the public. Non-compliant circulator pumps may use low-quality motors, components and materials, and if they have not been tested and accredited correctly, they could break down earlier than expected, cost more energy and money to run, and even be dangerous.
Secondly, vendors of non-compliant pumps may expect products to be de-listed by the OPSS and stock taken away to be destroyed.
Finally, there may be further legal ramifications including prosecution.
There are three checks distributors and installers can make on domestic heating circulation pumps:
- Check the pump’s CE Marking
- Check that the pump comes from a reputable pump manufacturer
- Be cautious if the pump is significantly cheaper than similar market alternatives
The scale of the problem was first brought to the attention of the OPSS last year by the British Pump Manufacturers Association (BPMA) which I serve as Vice President.
Together, the BPMA and Wilo have determined an estimated 100,000 non-compliant domestic heating circulation pumps are manufactured abroad and make their way into the UK market every year.
Between Wilo, the BPMA, the OPSS and other pump manufacturers, we are working hard to end the problem of non-compliant pumps entering the UK market and it is vital that the supply chain and installers also work with us to ensure these products are not unknowingly sold on or fitted in peoples’ homes.
Wayne Rose, CEO of the BPMA, has echoed our position, saying: “The British Pump Manufacturers Association (BPMA) is deeply concerned by the recent announcement from the Office for Product Safety and Standards regarding the prevalence of non-compliant circulator pumps in the UK market.
“The findings raise serious questions about the efficacy of current regulatory measures governing circulator pumps. Non-compliant products not only offer significant reductions in energy efficiency values but also undermine the integrity of the pump industry and erode trust in regulatory processes.
“In response to these developments, the BPMA reaffirms its commitment to promoting excellence and compliance within the pump industry. The association stands ready to collaborate with the OPSS and other relevant bodies to develop and implement measures that enhance product safety and integrity.”
Concerned distributors and installers can visit the dedicated FAQ Page we have created on the Wilo website.