Ecodesign: Household Dishwashers and Washing Machines

Ecodesign requirements (minimum energy requirements) for Household Dishwashers and Washing Machines have been set and are due to come into force as per dates indicated below.

These regulations establish ecodesign requirements for the placing on the market of:

Electric mains-operated household dishwashers/washing machines;

Electric mains-operated household dishwashers/washing machines, that can also be powered by batteries;

Household dishwashers/washing machines sold for non-household use;

Built-in household dishwashers/washing machines.

Household combined washer-driers are exempt.

The following links may be used for further reference to the respective regulations:

Household Dishwashers

Commission Regulation (EU) No 1016/2010 of 10 November 2010 implementing Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to ecodesign requirements for household dishwashers http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2010:293:0031:0040:EN:PDF

Household Washing Machines

Commission Regulation (EU) No 1015/2010 of 10 November 2010 implementing Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to ecodesign requirements for household washing machines http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2010:293:0021:0030:EN:PDF

The ecodesign requirements listed shall apply in accordance with the following timetable:

Household Washing Machines

1 June 2011          

the essential information to be included in the booklet of instructions provided by the manufacturer;

1 December 2011 

minimum efficiency levels and the maximum water consumption have been set;

1 December 2012 

standard 40^◦C and 60^◦C cotton programmes are to be used for the calculation of energy consumption, and must be clearly identifiable on the program selection device or display;         

1 December 2013 

minimum efficiency levels and maximum water consumption shall become more stringent;

20^◦C programme shall be available and clearly identifiable.

Household Dishwashers

1 December 2011 

minimum efficiency limits have been set;

1 June 2012 

the essential information to be included in the booklet of instructions provided by the manufacturer;

1 December 2012 

‘standard programme' to be used for the calculation of energy consumption, must be clearly identifiable on the program selection device or display, and shall be set as the default cycle;      

1 December 2013 

minimum efficiency limits shall become more stringent;

1 December 2016 

the minimum efficiency limits shall become even more rigorous.

Please send any comments to Ing Elton Camilleri not later than 31^st January 2011 at noon. On