S.I. No. 319/1997 - European Communities (Energy Labelling of Household Combined Washer Dryers) Regulations, 1997.

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 complete operating (washing, spinning and drying) cycle using standard 60°C cotton cycle, and 'dry cotton' drying cycles, determined in accordance with the test procedures of the harmonised standards referred to in Article 1.2 of the Commission Directive.

A

C

B

0.68

C

0.81

D

0.93

E

1.05

F

1.17

G

1.29

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

Given under my Official Seal, this 21 day of July, 1997.

Mary O'Rourke

Minister for Public Enterprise

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The purpose of the Regulations is to give legal effect to Commission Directive 96/60 of 19th September, 1996 and Council Directive 92/75/EEC of 22nd September, 1992 in so far as they relate to combined washer dryers.

These Regulations apply to combined washer dryers. Combined washer dryers that may also use other energy sources, second-hand combined washer dryers, combined washer dryers of which production has ceased before 1st August, 1997, are excluded.

The Regulations prohibit the placing on the market, for sale, hire or reward, of combined washer dryers 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.

These Regulations may be purchased from the Government Publications Sales Office, Molesworth Street.

Dublin 2.

3. Energy consumption (washing and spinning only) (Schedule 2 point 6)

4. Washing performance class (Schedule 2 point 7)

5. Water extraction efficiency (Schedule 2 point 8)

6. Maximum spin speed (Schedule 2 point 9)

7. Capacity (washing) (Schedule 2 point 10)

8. Capacity (drying) (Schedule 2 point 11)

9. Water consumption (washing, spinning and drying) (Schedule 2 point 12)

10. Water consumption (washing and spinning only) (Schedule 2 point 13)

11. Estimated annual consumption for a four person household, always using the drier (200 cycles) (Schedule 2 point 16)

12. Estimated annual consumption for a four person household, never using the drier (200 cycles) (Schedule 2 point 17)

13. Noise, where applicable (Schedule 2 point 18)

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

SCHEDULE 4

ENERGY EFFICIENCY CLASS

14. Washing and drying time. Programme time for complete operating cycle (60°C cotton washing and 'dry cotton' drying), for rated washing capacity, determined in accordance with the test procedures of the harmonised standards referred to in Article 1(2) of the Commission Directive.

15. Suppliers may include information under points 5 to 14 above in respect of other wash and/or drying cycles.

16. The consumption of energy and water equal to 200 times the consumption expressed in points 5 (energy) and 12 (water). This shall be expressed as 'estimated annual consumption for a four person household, always using the drier (200 cycles)'.

17. The consumption of energy and water equal to 200 times the consumption expressed in points 6 (energy) and 13 (water). This shall be expressed as 'estimated annual consumption for four person household, never using the drier (200 cycles)',

18. Where applicable, noise during washing, spinning and drying cycles using standard 60°C cotton washing cycle and 'dry cotton' drying cycle, in accordance with Directive 86/594/EEC.

The information on the label may be given in the form of a representation of the label in colour or in black and white.

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. 319 of 1997.

EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES (ENERGY LABELLING OF HOUSEHOLD COMBINED WASHER DRYERS) REGULATIONS, 1997.

I, Mary O'Rourke, Minister for Public Enterprise, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 3 of the European Communities Act, 1992 (No. 27 of 1972), and for the purposes of giving effect to Commission Directive 96/60 of 19th September 1996

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

OJ. No. L266, 18-10-1996, p1.

2

O.J. No. L297, 13-10-1992, p16.