COMMISSION DECISION of 11 July 1996 establishing ecological criteria for the award of the Community eco-label to washing machines (Text with EEA relevance) (96/461/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,
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 groups;
Whereas Article 10 (2) of Regulation (EEC) No 880/92 states that the environmental performance of a product shall be assessed by reference to the specific criteria for product groups;
Whereas, by Decision 93/430/EEC (2), the Commission established ecological criteria for the award of the Community eco-label to washing machines, which, according to Article 3 thereof, are valid until 30 June 1996;
Whereas it is appropriate to adopt a new decision establishing ecological criteria for this product group, which will be valid for a further period of three years after the expiry of the period of validity of the previous criteria, in order to continue to allow for the participation in the Community eco-label award scheme of manufacturers and importers of washing machines; whereas, in order to avoid any hiatus in the validity of the ecological criteria, this Decision should therefore apply with effect from 1 July 1996;
Whereas it is appropriate to revise the criteria which were established by Decision 93/430/EEC in order for the test methods and classification for energy consumption and washing performance to be expressed in a manner consistent with Commission Directive 95/12/EC of 23 May 1995 implementing Council Directive (EEC) No 75/92 with regard to energy labelling of household washing machines (3) and in order to adapt the energy and water consumption requirements to technological innovation and market developments;
Whereas, in accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EEC) No 880/92, the Commission has consulted the principal interest groups within a consultation forum;
Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee set up pursuant to Article 7 of Regulation (EEC) No 880/92,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
The product group to which this Decision relates is defined as:
- front and top loading washing machines sold to the general public, excluding twin-tubs and washer-dryers (hereinafter referred to as 'the product group`).
Article 2
The environmental performance of the product group shall be assessed by reference to the specific ecological criteria set out in the Annex.
Article 3
The definition of the product group and the specific criteria for the product group shall be valid for the period from 1 July 1996 until 30 June 1999.
Article 4
The code number assigned for administrative purposes to the product group shall be '001`.
Article 5
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
Done at Brussels, 11 July 1996.