Is your commercial kitchen part of the ETL evolution into professional foodservice equipment?
The Energy 
Technology List, or ETL, has played a part in catering and hospitality purchases since it’s inception in 2001. Devised by the government to highlight and identify high performing energy efficient equipment, it aids businesses to make informed decisions about the products that they invest in.
What does the list aim to do?
The ETL covers a range of equipment including boiler equipment, lighting, hand dryers, non-domestic showers, HVAC equipment, commercial refrigeration and most recently professional foodservice equipment (PFSE), plus many other categories. As a free to use platform, it aims to help businesses make environmentally responsible investments when it comes to new equipment, with the aim of minimising carbon footprints, increasing energy efficiency and reducing operational costs.
The Energy Technology List features over 8000 products and is regularly reviewed to ensure that equipment on the list still meets guidelines, and to test newly submitted equipment. All technology is stringently assessed by independent teams, in line with strict criteria, meaning that new equipment is frequently added and, sometimes, previously featured products removed. This ensures that the ETL is always reliable and relevant.
With energy efficiency being a key buying concern for many businesses, the list has never been more applicable.
The list is frequently used by businesses looking to purchase, allowing them to make fully informed buying choices, and equipment manufacturers who can request that their units be tested in line with criteria, making it a core tool for every section of industry.
Introducing professional foodservice equipment
In 2023, the ETL introduced professional foodservice equipment, as available from www.247cateringsupplies.co.uk, for the first time. Initially including commercial undercounter dishwashers and pass through or hood-type dishwashers, combination steam ovens closely followed, with more types of catering equipment hopefully to be added in the future.
With catering a massive part of the hospitality industry, whether with regards to creating menus or sanitising dinnerware and cookware after service, the new equipment classification is a welcome addition.
This new category means that hospitality and foodservice businesses can make environmentally sound decisions across even more areas, when it comes to new purchases.
Why buying from the ETL makes financial sense
The benefits of purchasing from the ETL aren’t only about environmental awareness and lowering your business’ carbon footprint. By investing in equipment with higher energy efficiency you also benefit from reduced ongoing operational costs. There are also other incentives to choosing ETL featured equipment.
The governments AIA (Annual Investment Allowance) works in conjunction with the ETL, and allows businesses purchasing ETL featured equipment to claim 100% tax relief on said equipment within the same tax year. From 2019 claim limits were increased to £1 million, meaning that business incentives for ‘going green’ have never been greater.
