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CLC/TC 59X ‘Performance of household and similar electrical appliances’ prepares European Standards on methods of measurement to help determine the performance of electrical appliances for household and commercial use that are of interest to users.

Most of the products covered by CLC/TC 59X fall under the scope of several ecodesign implementing regulations and energy labelling regulations adopted by the European Commission.

In this context, in 2025, CLC/TC 59X will finalize the amendment to EN 61121 ‘Tumble dryers for household use – Methods for measuring the performance’, which describes the tests for the verification of energy efficiency, condensation efficiency, and the noise level of tumble dryers. The objective is to align this standard to the provisions of the new ecodesign and energy labelling regulations for tumble dryers. This provides European consumers with valuable information, enabling them to make an informed choice and eventually increase the market for more energy efficient products.

In support of the new Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (EU) 2024/1781 (ESPR), as part of a package of measures that are central to achieving the objectives of the 2020 Circular Economy Action Plan, the following two projects are highlighted among the first documents specifying the methods on the product level:

• The development of EN 50731 ‘Durability – Measurement method for the assessment of the reliability of washing machines for household use’. This standard is a building block to assess the durability of washing machines. It will push for the durable design of machines, the improvement of their environmental impact, and the use time for consumers who will then be able to help make informed purchase decisions.
• The development of a brand-new standard on ‘General methods for the assessment of the ability to repair electric instantaneous water heaters’. In the context of the energy transition, water heating using electric instantaneous water heaters is becoming increasingly important. Decentralized hot water appliances make it possible to separate heating and hot water production. As a pioneer for electric water heaters, CLC/TC 59X has developed a repair index for the appliance group of electric instantaneous water heater products.

Additionally, CLC/TC 59X will continue the work with IEC on prEN 62301 ‘Household electrical appliances – Measurement of standby power’ supporting Regulation (EU) 2023/826. This standard will specify methods for measuring Low Power Modes (such as standby) for a wide range of electrical and electronic household products and office equipment for the benefit of government authorities, consumers, manufacturers, and testing labs. The document will specify a conceptual framework of power modes and related functions, its definitions, methods of measurement of electrical low power mode consumption, like off mode and standby mode, and the reporting of the results.

Standardization on the safety of household appliances is under the responsibility of CLC/TC 61 ‘Safety of household and similar electrical appliances’ . This Technical Committee (TC), in close cooperation with its international counterpart IEC/TC 61, develops standards containing safety requirements for more than 100 electrical appliances intended primarily for household use, but also for commercial use, such as those used in professional kitchens.

European Standards on the safety of household and similar electrical appliances (part of the EN 60335 series) are continuously adapted to align with the latest technological changes. Most of these standards are candidates for harmonization in support of European legislation.

In 2025, CLC/TC 61 will continue working on the European adoption of the latest IEC standards developed by IEC/TC 61, focusing on remote operation/communication and cybersecurity. The TC will also start with the revision of EN IEC 62115 ‘Electric toys – Safety’ to implement the requirements of the EU Decision of 24 October 2022 in support of Directive 2009/48/EC. Additionally, CLC/TC 61 will continue to focus on the alignment of their standards to European legislation (more precisely to the Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU, the Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU, the Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC, and the Machinery Regulation 2023/1230/EU).