European Commission - New rules make household appliances more sustainable*

European Commission - PRESS RELEASES - Press release - New rules make household appliances more sustainable*

In a continued effort to reduce Europe's carbon footprint and to make energy bills cheaper for European consumers, the Commission today adopted new eco-design measures for products such as refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers and televisions. Improving the ecodesign of products contributes to implementing the ‘Energy efficiency first' principle of the EU's Energy Union priority. For the first time the measures include requirements for repairability and recyclability, contributing to circular economy objectives by improving the life span, maintenance, re-use, upgrade, recyclability and waste handling of appliances.(...)

1. What has the Commission adopted today?

Today, the Commission adopted 10 ecodesign implementing regulations, setting out energy efficiency and other requirements for the following product groups:

• Refrigerators
• Washing machines
• Dishwashers
• Electronic displays (including televisions)
• Light sources and separate control gears
• External power suppliers
• Electric motors
• Refrigerators with a direct sales function (e.g. fridges in supermarkets, vending machines for cold drinks)
• Power transformers
• Welding equipment

Eight of these regulations revise already existing requirements, whereas refrigerators with a direct sales function and welding equipment are regulated for the first time.(...)