Ecodesign and energy labelling requirements – household tumble dryers

SUMMARY OF:

Regulation (EU) 2023/2533 implementing Directive 2009/125/EC with regard to ecodesign requirements for household tumble dryers

Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2534 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 with regard to the energy labelling of household tumble dryers

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE REGULATIONS?

Regulation (EU) 2023/2533 introduces ecodesign* requirements for household tumble dryers. This means that only tumble dryers that meet the energy efficiency requirements of the regulation, along with additional requirements for condensation efficiency, user information, and material recovery and recycling at end of life, can be sold on the EU market.

Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2534 requires that all tumble dryers sold in the EU have an energy label* so that consumers can compare the energy efficiency of tumble dryers and make informed purchasing decisions.

Both regulations apply to tumble dryers that are connected to the electric mains, to gas-fired tumble dryers and to tumble dryers that can be powered by batteries. They also apply to built-in and multi-drum tumble dryers.

The regulations do not cover:

household washer-dryers (see Regulation (EU) 2019/2023 – see summary);
household spin-extractors;
tumble dryers already covered under Directive 2006/42/EC on machinery (see summary); and
battery-operated dryers equipped to use separate AC/DC converters.

Some requirements do not apply to dryers with a rated capacity of 3 kg or less.

KEY POINTS

Regulation (EU) 2023/2533 lays down ecodesign requirements, which are detailed in Annex II, including the following.

A clearly identified eco programme* set as the default or made available for direct selection without the need for any other selection, such as a specific time or load, while the indications ‘normal’, ‘daily’, ‘regular’ and ‘standard’ are not allowed as programme names.
The energy efficiency index (EEI)* must not be higher than 85, calculated in accordance with Annex III.
The condensation efficiency of condenser tumble dryers must not be lower than 80%, calculated in accordance with Annex III.
Standby and off-mode power consumption limits must not be higher than 0.5 W (and for off-mode, it must not be higher than 0.3 W from 9 May 2027).
Rules on the availability of spare parts (with guaranteed delivery within 15 days) and on access to repair and maintenance information.
Availability of software and firmware updates, which must not downgrade the appliance’s performance, for at least 10 years.
Material recovery and recycling at end of life, avoiding pollution.
Information requirements through a user manual available on a free-access website, provided by the manufacturer, which includes:
- instructions for carrying out basic maintenance;
- information on any implications of non-professional repair for user safety and for the spare-parts guarantee;
- information that the eco programme is the most energy-efficient programme for drying wet cotton laundry;
- information that loading the dryer to maximum capacity, as indicated by the manufacturer, will contribute to energy savings.

Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2534 supplements Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 with regard to energy labelling.

Suppliers must ensure that:

each dryer has a printed label in the format set out in Annex III, or in the format set out in Annex X for a multi-drum unit;
for each dryer model, dealers receive an electronic label in the format set out in Annex III and an electronic product information sheet as set out in Annex V;
the product information sheet and the technical documentation (Annex VI) are uploaded to the product database;
the product information sheet is made available in printed form when specifically requested by a dealer;
any visual advertisement must contain the energy efficiency class and range of energy efficiency classes available on the label in accordance with Annexes VII and VIII;
the energy efficiency class, the noise emission class and, where relevant, the condensation efficiency class, as set out in Annex II, are calculated in accordance with Annex IV.

Dealers must ensure that:

each dryer bears a clearly visible label provided by suppliers;
in the event of distance selling, the label and the product information sheet comply with Annexes VII and VIII.

Circumvention

Manufacturers or importers must not place on the market or put into service products designed to behave differently:

under test conditions, to achieve a more favourable specification;
after undergoing, for example, a prescribed manual modification in preparation for testing; or
soon after being put into service in a way that worsens the specified performance.

FROM WHEN DO THE REGULATIONS APPLY?

The regulations apply from 1 July 2025, with the following exceptions:

the circumvention provision applies from 12 December 2023;
the labelling and product information sheet obligations apply from 1 March 2025;
certain transitional requirements for energy labelling apply from 1 January 2024.

BACKGROUND

Directive 2009/125/EC introduced a framework of ecodesign requirements for energy-related products sold in the EU (see summary).

Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 introduced a labelling framework for energy-related products so that consumers can choose more efficient products and reduce energy consumption (see summary).

Directive 2012/19/EU on waste electrical and electronic equipment (the WEEE directive – see summary) set requirements for the recovery and recycling of electrical and electronic equipment.

For further information, see:

Tumble dryers (European Commission)
Commission announces new ecodesign and energy labelling rules for household tumble dryers (European Commission).

KEY TERMS

Ecodesign. A policy to improve, through better design, a product’s environmental performance throughout its life cycle, especially its energy efficiency.

Energy labelling. A labelling system enabling customers to make informed purchase decisions based on the energy consumption of energy-related products via an A–G/green-to-red scale.

Eco programme. A programme that is able to dry cotton laundry from an initial moisture content of 60% down to a final moisture content of 0%.

Energy efficiency index (EEI). The ratio of the weighted energy consumption to the standard drying cycle energy consumption of a particular dryer model.

MAIN DOCUMENTS

Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2533 of 17 November 2023 implementing Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to ecodesign requirements for household tumble dryers, amending Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/826, and repealing Commission Regulation (EU) No 932/2012 (OJ L, 2023/2533, 22.11.2023).

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2534 of 13 July 2023 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to energy labelling of household tumble dryers and repealing Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 392/2012 (OJ L, 2023/2534, 22.11.2023).