As from 1 September 2014 vacuum cleaners with 1600 W rated input power cannot be placed on the EU market anymore. 1599 W is allowed, but 1600 W not. Promotional reasons cannot be used as exception. In fact, one of the purposes of the regulation (and the accompanying energy labelling regulation) is to move away from marketing based on power rating as it does not provide the consumer with information on energy efficiency nor performance. Market surveillance authorities have the power to take action against vacuum cleaners of 1600 W rated input power or higher.
Disclaimer: Please note that the European Commission cannot provide a legally binding interpretation of the EU legislation, as this is the sole competence of the European Court of Justice. Any remarks from the European Commission services are without prejudice to the position the Commission might take should related cases arise in a procedure before the Court of Justice.