Large-scale testing of washing machines will help efficient market surveillance

(eceee news, 26 Sep 2013) The ATLETE II project, in which eceee is a partner, is selecting 50 models of washing machines available on EU market for testing according to the new Energy Labelling and Ecodesign requirements.

The project will undertake a full scale testing activity, measuring energy consumption and other performance claims of 50 models of washing machines. The project is the first large-scale effort to investigate the pan-EU compliance of washing machines with the new energy labelling and ecodesign requirements.

The project aims to improve the capacity of testing laboratories and at the same time support co-operation among Member State Authorities for effective market surveillance.

A protocol, signed by 27 manufacturers, enables companies to take remedy actions for products that are non-compliant.

Testing will take place in three batches and the results will be made fully public once all tests will be concluded. In the first batch, 13 models of washing machines were tested. In the second batch, which should be concluded by the end of 2013, 18 models of washing machines have been selected.

The ATLETE II project has also undertaken a detailed research on the current status of market surveillance activities, to enhance better implementation of the Ecodesign and Labelling directives.

Energy labels and ecodesign requirements are crucial drivers for market transformation towards more efficient appliances and to phase out the least efficient ones. For efficient implementation, consumers need to be ensured that the products found on the EU market comply with the legislative requirements. Reliable testing laboratories are important for efficient market surveillance of energy-related products.

“The results of the first ATLETE project, concluded in 2011, which tested 72 refrigerators, showed a 54% non-compliance, with 21% products being non-compliant with the energy class declaration. This highlights the importance of the ATLETE II project, focusing on the compliance with the new legislative requirements”, says Juraj Krivošík, from SEVEn, The Energy Efficiency Center, Czech Republic, one of the project team partners.

The ATLETE II project started in May 2012 and is due to be concluded by the end of October 2014. The team includes three national energy agencies, one market surveillance agency, manufacturer association, specialised international NGOs, including eceee, and independent experts.

For more information visit www.atlete.eu and the second newsletter ( pdf )

Find the details of the Market Surveillance survey, its findings, and recommendations, here

Link to ATLETE II web site