Ecodesign regulations for domestic dishwashers entered into force the first of December 2010. Labelling requirements will enter into force 20 December 2010.

The first Consultation Forum for washing machines was held in December 2008. After almost two years of political process Ecodesign minimum requirements have now been adopted. They include:

• Prohibition of dishwashers of current energy class A in December 2011 and stricter requirements for dishwashers with more than 10 place settings from 2011 and 2013.

• Limits for water consumption, standby and off modes.

• Instruction manuals for energy use and water consumption.

The regulation enters into force 1 December 2010 and will apply from 1 December 2011 with some exemptions. The  requirements will be revised after four years.

Labelling

New  energy labelling regulation for domestic dishwashers entered into force 20 December 2010 . Labels for this product group were introduced already in 1992. According to the previous system, the best class is A. However, new technologies would allow about half the energy consumption of an A-class product. Therefore the scale has been extended upwards with three new classes (A+, A++ and A+++).

Products & status