2000D0045 — EN — 05.04.2003 — 001.001 — 1
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►B COMMISSIONDECISION
of17December 1999
establishingtheecologicalcriteriafortheawardoftheCommunityeco-labeltowashingmachines
(notified under document number C(1999) 4650)
(TextwithEEArelevance)
(2000/45/EC)
(OJ L 16, 21.1.2000, p. 74)
Amended by:
Official Journal
No page date
►M1Commission Decision 2003/240/EC of 24 March 2003 L 89 16 5.4.2003
▼B
COMMISSIONDECISION
of17December 1999
establishingtheecologicalcriteriafortheawardoftheCommunity
eco-label towashingmachines
(notified under document number C(1999) 4650)
(TextwithEEArelevance)
(2000/45/EC)
THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 880/92 of 23 March
1992 on a Community eco-label award scheme (1), and in particular
the second subparagraph of Article 5(1) thereof,
(1)Whereas the first subparagraph of Article 5(1) of Regulation(EEC) No 880/92 provides that the conditions for the award of
the Community eco-label shall be defined by product group;
(2)Whereas Article 10(2) of Regulation (EEC) No 880/92 statesthat the environmental performance of a product shall beassessed by reference to the specific criteria for product groups;
(3)Whereas, by Decision 96/461/EEC (2), the Commission estab-
lished ecological criteria for the award of the Community eco-label to washing machines, which, according to Article 3 thereof,expire on 30 June 1999;
(4)Whereas it is appropriate to adopt a new decision establishingthe ecological criteria for this product group;
(5)Whereas in accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EEC) No880/92 the Commission has consulted the principal interest
groups within a consultation forum;
(6)Whereas the measures set out in this Decision are in accordancewith the opinion of the committee set up under Article 7 of
Regulation (EEC) No 880/92,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
The product group ‘washing machines’ (hereinafter referred to as ‘the
product group’) shall mean:
front and toploading household washing machines excluding twin-tubs
and washer-dryers.
Article 2
The environmental performance and the fitness for use of the product
groupshall be assessed by reference to the criteria set out in theAnnex.
Article 3
The product group definition and the criteria for the product group
shall be valid from the day of notification of this Decision until 30
November 2005. If, however, by that date a new decision establishing
the product group definition and the criteria for this product group hasnot yet been adopted, that period of validity shall instead end either on2000D0045 — EN — 05.04.2003 — 001.001 — 2
(1) OJ L 99, 11.4.1992, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 191, 1.8.1996, p. 56.▼M1
▼M1
30 November 2006 or on the date of adoption of the new decision,
whichever is sooner.
Article 4
For administrative purposes the code number assigned to the product
groupshall be ‘001’.
Article 5
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.2000D0045 — EN — 05.04.2003 — 001.001 — 3
▼B
▼B
ANNEX
CRITERIA
FRAMEWORK
In order to qualify for an eco-label, the product as defined in Article 1 must
comply with the criteria of this Annex. Where appropriate, other test methods
may be used if their equivalence is accepted by the competent body assessing
the application.
The competent bodies are recommended to take into account the implementation
of recognised environmental management schemes, such as EMAS or ISO 14
001, when assessing applications and monitoring compliance with the criteria
in this Annex ( Note: it is not required to implement such management schemes .)
These criteria aim in particular at promoting:
— the reduction of environmental damage or risks related to the use of energy
(global warming, acidification, depletion of non-renewable resources) by
reducing energy consumption
— the reduction of environmental damage related to the use of natural
resources by reducing water consumption
— the reduction of environmental damage related to the use of natural
resources by encouraging recyclability
— the reduction of water pollution by contributing to reduced detergent
consumption, and
— the reduction of noise emissions.
The criteria encourage the implementation of best practice and enhance
consumer environmental awareness. Furthermore, marking the plastic compo-
nents encourages the recycling of the machine.
KEYCRITERIA
1.Energyefficiency
The machine shall use less than or equal to 0,17 kWh of electrical energy per kg
of washload measured according to EN 60456:1999, using the same standard
60 ºC cotton cycle as chosen for Commission Directive 95/12/EC (1).
The applicant shall provide a copy of the technical documentation referred to
under Article 2(1) of Directive 95/12/EC. This documentation shall include the
reports of at least three measurements of energy consumption made according
to EN 60456:1999, using the same standard 60 ºC cotton cycle as chosen for
Directive 95/12/EC. The arithmetic mean of these measurements shall be less
or equal to the above requirement. The value declared on the energy label shall
not be lower than this mean value, and the energy efficiency class indicated on
the energy label shall correspond to this mean value .
In case of verification, which is not required on application, competent bodies
shall apply the tolerances and control procedures laid down in EN 60456:1999 .
2.Waterconsumption
The machine shall use less than or equal to 12 litres of water per kg of washload
measured according to EN 60456:1999, using the same standard 60 ºC cotton
cycle as chosen for Directive 95/12/EC.
The applicant shall provide a copy of the technical documentation referred to
under Article 2(1) of Directive 95/12/EC. This documentation shall include the
reports of at least three measurements of water consumption made according to
EN 60456:1999, using the same standard 60 ºC cotton cycle as chosen for
Directive 95/12/EC. The arithmetic mean of these measurements shall be less
or equal to the above requirement. The value declared on the energy label shall
not be lower than this mean value .
In case of verification, which is not required on application, competent bodies
shall apply the tolerances and control procedures laid down in EN 6056:1999 .
3.Spindryingefficiency
The machine shall achieve a residual moisture content (also termed D or spin
extraction) of less than 54 %, in an EN 60456:1999 test, using the same stan-
dard 60 ºC cotton cycle as chosen for Directive 95/12/EC.2000D0045 — EN — 05.04.2003 — 001.001 — 4
(1) OJ L 136, 21.6.1995, p. 1.
▼B
The machine will thus qualify for spin drying efficiency class A or B as defined
in Directive 95/12/EC, Annex IV.
The applicant shall provide a copy of the technical documentation referred to
under Article 2(1) of Directive 95/12/EC. This documentation shall include the
reports of at least three measurements of the spin extraction made according to
EN 60456:1999, using the same standard 60 ºC cotton cycle as chosen for
Directive 95/12/EC. The arithmetic mean of these measurements shall be less
than the above requirement. The spin drying efficiency class indicated on the
energy label shall correspond to this mean value .
In case of verification, which is not required on application, competent bodies
shall apply the tolerances and control procedures laid down in EN 6056:1999 .
4.Noise
Airborne acoustical noise from the appliance, counted as sound power, shall not
exceed LWAd56 dB(A) during washing or LWAd76 dB(A) during spinning,
measured according to EN 60456:1999, using the same standard 60 ºC cotton
cycle as chosen for Directive 95/12/EC.
Information about the noise level of the machine shall be provided in a way
clearly visible to the consumer. This shall be done by the incorporation of this
information in the energy label for washing machines.
The applicant shall provide a copy of the technical documentation referred to
under Article 2(1) of Commission Directive 95/12/EC. This documentation shall
include the reports of at least three measurements of noise made according to
EN 60456:1999, using the same standard 60 ºC cotton cycle as chosen for
Directive 95/12/EC. The declared noise during washing and during spinning
shall be derived from these measurements as laid down in the standards
referred to in EN 60456:1999 (with the producer's risk a ≤5 %), shall be
less or equal to the above requirements, and shall appear on the energy label .
In case of verification, which is not required on application, competent bodies
shall apply the tolerances and control procedures laid down in EN 60456:1999 .
5.Preventionofexcessive useofdetergent
The appliance shall have clear volumetric and/or weight-related markings on the
detergent dispenser allowing the user to adjust the detergent quantity used
according to the type and amount of load and its degree of soiling.
The applicant shall declare the compliance of the product with this requirement .
ADDITIONALCRITERIA
6.Appliancedesign
The machine shall have clear markings on it identifying the appropriate settings
according to fabric type and laundry code.
The machine shall have clear markings on it identifying energy and water
saving programmes and options.
The applicant shall declare the compliance of the product with these require-
ments.
7.Userinstructions
The appliance shall be sold with an instruction manual which, amongst others,
shall provide advice on the correct environmental use and, in particular recom-
mendations for optimal use of energy, water and detergent in the operation of
the appliance. This manual shall include:
(a) on the cover page or first page the following text: ‘Information on how to
minimise environmental impacts is given in this manual’;
(b) if the machine has hot-fill, advice that the use of the hot-fill can save
primary energy and related emissions if the water is heated by solar energy,
community heating, modern natural gas or oil heating systems or natural
gas continuous flow heater. The user shall be informed that the conduit
between the warm water source and the washing machine should be short
and well insulated;
(c) advice to use a full load whenever possible;
(d) advice on the availability of ecological friendly modern detergents, such as
compact detergents;
(e) advice on varying the detergent dose according to water hardness, the type
and amount of the load and its degree of soiling (for example: a half load
requires less detergent); reference shall be made to the markings in the
detergent dispenser;2000D0045 — EN — 05.04.2003 — 001.001 — 5
▼B
(f) advice on sorting fabrics appropriately, the corresponding wash temperature
according to the fabric type, also stating that in most cases washing at
higher temperatures is no longer necessary when using modern detergents,
such as compact detergents, and modern washing machines;
(g) information about the energy and water consumption of the washing
machine for the different temperature settings and for different load
settings, allowing the consumer to identify an appropriate programme to
make the least use of energy and water;
(h) advice that the washing machine should be switched off when it has
completed its cycle, because of possible energy losses; the instruction
manual shall state the time needed to complete the programmes available;
(i) information on power requirements during the following modes: off mode,
timer mode (programming), programme ended mode;
(j) advice to avoid pre-washing in the machine whenever possible;
(k) advice on appropriate maintenance of the washing machine, including the
regular cleaning of filters and pumps, and removal of deposits;
(l) advice on how to install the machine so as to minimise the noise emitted;
(m) information that ignoring the issues mentioned above can lead to higher
consumption of energy, water and/or detergent and thus can increase the
running costs and lead to poor washing performance;
(n) advice on how the consumer can take advantage of the manufacturer's take-
back offer.
The applicant shall declare the compliance of the product with these require-
ments, and shall provide a copy of the instruction manual to the competent
body assessing the application .
8.Take-backandrecycling
(a) The manufacturer shall offer the take-back, free of charge, for recycling of
the washing machines and of components being replaced by himself or by
any commissioned company, except for washing machines which are not
complete or contain components which do not belong to the washing
machine.
(b) Plastic parts heavier than 50 grams shall have a permanent marking identi-
fying the material, in conformity with ISO 11 469. This requirement does
not apply to extruded plastic parts.
(c) Plastic parts heavier than 25 grams shall not contain the following flame
retardants:
Name CAS No
decabromdiphenyl 13654-09-6
monobromodiphenyl ether 101-55-3
dibromodiphenyl ether 2050-47-7
tribromodiphenyl ether 49690-94-0tetrabromodiphenyl ether 40088-47-9
pentabromodiphenyl ether 32534-81-9
hexabromodiphenyl ether 36483-60-0
heptabromodiphenyl ether 68928-80-3
octabromodiphenyl ether 32536-52-0
nonabromodiphenyl ether 63936-56-1
decabromodiphenyl ether 1163-19-5
Chloroparaffins with chain length 10 to 13 C
atoms, chlorine content > 50 % by weight85535-84-82000D0045 — EN — 05.04.2003 — 001.001 — 6
▼B
(d) Plastic parts heavier than 25 grams shall not contain flame retardant
substances or preparations containing substances that are or may be assigned
any of the risk phrases R45 (may cause cancer), R46 (may cause heritable
genetic damage), R50 (very toxic to aquatic organisms), R51 (toxic to
aquatic organisms), R52 (harmful to aquatic organisms), R53 (may cause
long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment), R60 (may impair
fertility) or R61 (may cause harm to the unborn child), or any combinations
of risk phrases containing any of the above risk phrases, as defined in
Council Directive 67/548/EEC (1) as last amended by Commission Directive
98/98/EEC (2).
This requirement does not apply to flame retardants that on application
change their chemical nature to no longer warrant classification under any
of the R-phrases listed above, and where less than 0.1 % of the flame retar-
dant in the treated part remains in the form as before application.
(e) The manufacturer shall take into account disassembly when designing and
shall check the disassembly of the washing machine and provide a disas-
sembly report. Amongst others, the report shall confirm that:
— joints are easy to find and accessible
— electronic assemblies are easy to find and to dismantle
— the product is easy to dismantle by using commonly available tools— incompatible and hazardous materials are separable
The applicant shall declare the compliance of the product with these require-
ments. The applicant shall provide to the competent body assessing the
application a copy of the disassembly report. The applicant and/or his supplier
or suppliers, as appropriate, shall indicate to this competent body which flame
retardants, if any, have been used in or on plastic parts heavier than 25 grams .
9.Lifetime extension
The manufacturer shall offer a commercial guarantee to ensure that the washing
machine will function for at least two years. This guarantee shall be valid from
the date of delivery to the customer.
The availability of compatible replacement parts shall be guaranteed for 12
years from the time that production ceases.
The applicant shall declare the compliance of the product with these require-
ments.
FITNESSFORUSECRITERIA
10.Washingperformance
The machine shall achieve a washing performance index of more than 1,00 in
an EN 60456:1999 test, using the same standard 60 ºC cotton cycle as chosen
for Directive 95/12/EC.
The machine will thus qualify for washing performance class A or B as defined
in Directive 95/12/EC, Annex IV.
The applicant shall provide a copy of the technical documentation referred to
under Article 2(1) of Directive 95/12/EC. This documentation shall include the
reports of at least three measurements of the washing performance index made
according to EN 60456:1999, using the same standard 60 ºC cotton cycle as
chosen for Directive 95/12/EC. The arithmetic mean of these measurements
shall be greater than the above requirement. The washing performance class
indicated on the energy label shall correspond to this mean value .
In case of verification, which is not required on application, competent bodies
shall apply the tolerances and control procedures laid down in EN 60456:1999 .
CONSUMERINFORMATION
11.Consumerinformation
The following text shall be provided in such a way as to be clearly visible to
consumers (next to the label, whenever possible).
‘This product qualifies for the European Union eco-label because in particular
it is economical with energy and water and is designed to increase durability,
to facilitate recycling, reparability and environmentally sound disposal.’
The applicant shall declare the compliance of the product with this requirement .2000D0045 — EN — 05.04.2003 — 001.001 — 7
(1) OJ 196, 16.8.1967, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 355, 30.12.1998, p. 1.