Household appliances - CEN-CENELEC

‘In our day-to-day life, we make use of household appliances that facilitate our lives, therefore, the importance of standards is evident not only for small appliances such as small kitchen utensils (toasters, blenders, cookers…), but also to white goods (refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines…) and personal hygiene devices (hairdryers, electric toothbrushes, shavers…) in order to ensure a high level of performance and safety for these products.

These products are governed by the Ecodesign Framework Directive (2009/125/EC) which is being replaced by Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation [ESPR] (EU) 2024/1781 as well as Energy Labelling Framework Regulation (EU) 2017/1369

In addition, these products are regulated by specific European legislation such as the Low Voltage Directive (2014/35/EU) and the Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC) to ensure that household appliances placed in the European market fulfil certain requirements.’

1. Safety of electrical household appliances

European standardization activities for the electrical safety of household and similar electrical appliances are developed by CLC/TC 61 ‘Safety of household and similar electrical appliances'. Industry actively supports the activities of CENELEC in this area through ‘Home Appliance Europe’ (APPLiA), active in CLC/TC 61 and its various Working Groups.

In the frame of the Frankfurt Agreement between IEC and CENELEC,

µ monitors the work of its international counterpart IEC/TC 61 in view of keeping as much as possible the European Standards aligned to the international ones. The standards on the safety of household and similar electrical appliances (embodied by the EN 60335 multi-part series) are continuously adapted to the latest technological changes.

By virtue of the work carried out by CLC/TC 61 Manufacturers, other economic operators or conformity assessment bodies, can use harmonised standards to demonstrate that products, services or processes comply with relevant European legislation like Directives on Low Voltage, Machinery, Pressure Equipment, Toys and Explosive Atmospheres.

For more information please contact Attila Unhauzer.

2. Performance of household and similar electrical appliances

CLC/TC 59X ‘Performance of household and similar electrical appliances’ prepares European Standards on methods of measurement for characteristics which are important to determine the performance of electrical appliances for household commercial use that are of interest for the user. This may include associated aspects related to the use of the appliances and aspects such as the classification, accessibility and usability of appliances, ergonomic characteristics and conditions for the information provided at the point of sale.

Moreover, CLC/TC 59X develops standards on the basis of requests from the European Commission to provide dedicated methods for measuring the energy performance against the compulsory values and thresholds laid down in the different ecodesign and/or energy labelling product-specific legislations.

For more information please contact Joanna Frankowska.

Technical Bodies

CLC/TC 59X - Performance of household and similar electrical appliances
CLC/TC 61 - Safety of household and similar electrical appliances
CEN/CLC/JTC 17 - Gas Appliances with Combined Heat and Power

EU legislation and mandates

The Low Voltage Directive (LVD) (2014/35/EU) ensures that electrical equipment within certain voltage limits provides a high level of protection for European citizens, and benefits fully from the single market.

The Machinery Directive (MD) (2006/42/EC) ensure a common safety level in machinery placed on the market or put in service in all member states.

Ecodesign, ESPR and Energy Labelling legislations:

In the European Union, energy-related products (ErP) are regulated by the Ecodesign Framework Directive (2009/125/EC) which provides for setting minimum performance requirements for such products with the aim of ensuring their free movement within the internal market. Delegated Acts define specific requirements for each type of product. An up-to-date overview of the ErP product categories can be accessed through the dedicated European Commission webpage.

In a transitional period starting from 2024, Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation [ESPR] (EU) 2024/1781 is replacing the Ecodesign Framework Directive with the goal to improve the circularity, energy performance and other environmental sustainability aspects of almost all products placed on the internal market. ESPR being also a framework legislation, Delegated Acts will step by step cover new products categories, beyond ErP, to define the minimum performance and sustainability requirements along the whole life cycle of the products.

ESPR introduces a Digital Product Passport (DPP) being an electronical tool ensuring a high level of transparency to inform the European customers on the products performances.

The Energy Labelling Framework Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 is a ‘sister’ legislation to Ecodesign and ESPR which enables consumers to make a better and more rational use of resources by informing them about the efficiency and sustainability of products.’

Standardization Requests or mandates database

The list of standardization requests and mandates adopted by the European Commission are available from the dedicated EC's webpage.

Harmonized standards

The latest lists of Harmonized Standards published in the Official Journal in support of the already adopted Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Regulations are available from the dedicated EC’s webpage.

The latest lists of Harmonized Standards published in the Official Journal in support of the Low Voltage Directive (2014/35/EU) are available from the dedicated EC’s webpage.

The latest lists of Harmonized Standards published in the Official Journal in support of the Machinery Directive (2006/42/EC) are available from the dedicated EC’s webpage.

Contact:

Joanna FRANKOWSKA
jfrankowska@cencenelec.eu