Ecodesign and labelling requirements for household tumble driers were discussed in Consultation Forum in June 2010. A draft delegated Regulation on energy labelling requirements has been prepared and circulated to Member States.

Ecodesign requirements for tumble driers  will not be set at this stage. Instead, revised labels for tumble driers are proposed as a mean to speed up the market transformation towards more energy efficient driers.

Proposed energy labels

The working document proposes one label per type of appliance: electric air-vented, gas air-vented or electric condenser. The different types would share the same energy classification.

The proposal introduces a revised calculation method for the energy efficiency index. This is to align with the delegated acts for labelling of dishwashers and washing machines. The new formula is based on 160 drying cycles per year and includes low power modes.

According to the preparatory study, the best heat pump and gas fired tumble driers would already reach class A++ today. Therefore, three additional classes (up to A+++) are suggested.

The proposed levels for the additional A+ to A++ classes have been criticized to benefit most manufacturers. The new reference line has also been considered to allow current small models to get a better energy class immediately, without any improvement.

Products & status