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Business groups warn state index could create regulatory patchwork; consumer advocates back SB 6124 study
Summary
SB 6124 would require Commerce to study an appliance affordability index that includes repairability and lifecycle costs. Industry witnesses warned against a state‑specific scoring system; consumer advocates cited Europe’s repairability labels as evidence such a tool changes purchasing behavior.
A staff briefing introduced Senate Bill 6124 as a Commerce‑led study to develop an appliance affordability index that would weigh energy efficiency alongside repairability, expected service life, maintenance ease and recyclability. Alicia Kinney Clausen told the committee the study would assess feasibility of adapting labeling standards and consult experts in appliance standards, repair and manufacturing.
Senator Elias, sponsor of the bill, said the idea is practical consumer information: “Consumers should be able to make their choice,” he said, framing the study as a tool to surface lifetime costs for shoppers who cannot afford subscription consumer‑reports services.
Industry witnesses urged caution. Katie Riley, vice president of environmental affairs for the Consumer Technology Association, said the bill’s undefined term “appliance” could sweep in members and argued state‑specific scoring risks creating a patchwork of labels that would burden manufacturers and confuse e‑commerce customers. “Different scoring systems and multiple labels across different states would create confusion for consumers,” Riley said. John Keane of the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers agreed an index could be misleading if it lumps disparate product classes together and noted differences in repair needs and safety requirements for gas and electric appliances.
Consumer advocates and waste‑reduction groups supported the study. Megan Smith of the Washington Public Interest Research Group praised European repairability scores and urged the legislature to investigate how a consumer‑facing index could encourage repairability and market transparency. Heather Trim of 0 Waste Washington said Washington should lead and suggested aligning with a future national standard if one emerges.
No vote was taken; staff said a fiscal note was pending and written testimony would be filed by several organizations. The committee closed the hearing on SB 6124 and moved to other bills on the agenda.
