I am not sure it is manufacturing costs, rather built in obsolescence and to keep profits up by making you pay several times the cost of any parts you need by making the small part unavailable, and selling you a far larger unit. They could make the things last longer but do not do this to keep up the steady replacement cycle.The new Act was in part brought about by Climate Action Groups and Consumer groups. Years ago bearings on washing machines were a not too difficult diy task. New models are so designed that reaching the bearings requires removal of the whole drum seals and other bits it is just not economic and beyond the average diy. Thousands of newish white goods were / are dumped daily. A better design would allow easier cheaper repairs. How this will impact on manufacturing costs remains to be seen.