S.I. No. 109/1996 - European Communities (Energy Labelling of Household Electric Washing Machines) Regulations, 1996.

1. The energy efficiency class of an appliance shall be determined in accordance with the following table 1

Table 1

Energy efficiency class

Energy consumption 'C' in kWh per kg washed for standard 60°C cotton cycle using test procedures of the harmonised standards referred to in Article 1.2 of the Commission Directive

A

C0.19

B

0.190.23

C

0.230.27

D

0.27 0.31

E

0.310.35

F

0.350.39

G

0.39

2. The washing performance class of an appliance shall be determined by the following table 2

Table 2

Washing performance class

Washing performance index P as defined in the harmonised standards referred to in Article 1.2 of the Commission Directive, using a standard 60°C cycle

A

P> 1.03

B

1.03> P> 1.00

C

1.00> P> 0.97

D

0.97> P> 0.94

E

0.94> P> 0.91

F

0.91> P> 0.88

G

0.88> P

3. The drying efficiency class of an appliance shall be determined by the following

Table 3

Spin drying efficiency class

Water extraction efficiency D as defined in the harmonised standards referred to in Article 1.2 of the Commission Directive, using a standard 60°C cycle

A

D

B

45%D

C

54%D

D

63%D

E

72%D

F

81%D

G

90%D

GIVEN under my Official Seal, this 18th day of April, 1996.

MICHAEL LOWRY,

Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications.

EXPLANATORY NOTE.

The purpose of the Regulations is to give legal effect to Commission Directive 95/12/EC of 23rd May, 1995 and Council Directive 92/75/EEC of 22nd September, 1992 in so far as it relates to household electric washing machines.

These Regulations apply to

electric mains operated household washing machines

. Washing machines that may also use other energy sources, second-hand washing machines, washing machines of which production has ceased before 1st April, 1996, combined washer-driers, washing machines with no spin capability and washing machines with separate washing and spin drying vessels (such as twin tubs), are excluded.

The Regulations prohibit the placing on the market, for sale, hire or reward, of a washing machine unless accompanied by information relating to the consumption of electric energy in addition to some supplementary information. This information is to be conveyed to the customer by means of a specified label and an associated fiche (product information notice). The Regulations place the onus for the accuracy of the labels and fiches on the suppliers, who will also be required to establish technical documentation sufficient to enable the accuracy of the information contained in the labels and the fiches to be assessed.

Provision is made for the appointment and powers of authorised officers and penalties for offences under the Regulations, in addition to a transitional period to facilitate those who have been unable or have not had a reasonable opportunity to comply with the Regulations.

4. Spin drying efficiency class (Schedule 2 point 7).

5. Maximum spin speed (Schedule 1 note VIII).

6. Capacity (Schedule 1 note IX).

7. Water consumption (Schedule 1 note X).

8. Estimated annual consumption for a four-person household (Schedule 2 point 14).

9. Noise (Schedule 1 note XI).

Where other information contained in the fiche is provided, it shall be in the form defined in Schedule 2 and shall be included in the above table in the order defined for the fiche.

SCHEDULE 4

Energy Efficiency Class

10. Capacity of appliance for standard 60°C cotton cycle in accordance with the test procedures of the harmonised standards referred to in Article 1.2 of the Commission Directive.

11. Water consumption per cycle using standard 60°C cotton cycle in accordance with the test procedures of the harmonised standards referred to in Article 1.2 of the Commission Directive.

12. Programme time for standard 60°C cotton cycle in accordance with the test procedures referred to in Article 1 (2).

13. Suppliers may include the information in points 6 to 12, in respect of other wash cycles.

14. The average annual consumption of energy and water based on 200 standard 60°C cotton cycles. This shall be expressed as 'estimated annual consumption (200 standard 60°C cotton washes) for a four-person household',

15. Noise during washing and spinning cycles using standard 60°C cycle, in accordance with Directive 86/594/EEC

4

.

4

O.J. No. L 344. 6.12.1986, p.24.

If a copy of the label, either in colour or black and white, is included in the fiche. then only the further information included in the fiche need be included.

SCHEDULE 3

Mail Order and Other Distance Selling

Mail order catalogues and other printed communications referred to in Article 2,4 of the Commission Directive shall contain the following information, given in the order specified

S.I. No. 109 of 1996.

EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES (ENERGY LABELLING OF HOUSEHOLD ELECTRIC WASHING MACHINES) REGULATIONS, 1996.

I, MICHAEL LOWRY, Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by

section 3

of the

European Communities Act, 1972

(No. 27 of 1972), and for the purpose of giving effect to Commission Directive 95/12/EC of 23rd May, 1995

1

and to Council Directive 92/75/EEC of 22nd September, 1992

2

, in so far as it applies to household appliances to which the Commission Directive aforesaid applies, hereby make the following Regulations

1

O.J. No. L 136, 21.6.95. p.1.

2

O.J. No. L 297, 13.10,92, p. 16.