Until some years ago, consumers tended to select their vacuum cleaner (VC) based on its input power, assuming that higher power equals better cleaning performance. Manufacturers stimulated this by producing VCs with ever higher power and advertising with this. Without measures, this trend led to an increase in domestic VC power from 1200 W in 1990 to 2300 W in 2020. However, a higher input power does not always imply better cleaning performance.
Considering that this situation was largely induced by a lack of information and communication, the 2013 Energy Labelling for VCs prescribed a label that informs consumers not only on the energy efficiency, but also on cleaning performance on carpets and hard floors, dust re-emission, and generated noise.
In parallel, the 2013 Ecodesign regulation limits the maximum power and annual energy consumption of VCs (max 1600 W, 62 kWh/a from 2014; max 900 W, 43 kWh/a from 2017), while at the same time requesting an improvement in the cleaning performance.
Types
Source: estimations from the Ecodesign Impact Accounting Overview Report 2024
Scope
The following table shows some examples of products in scope and out of scope of the Ecodesign Regulation:
| In Scope | Out of Scope |
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Check the complete list in the Ecodesign Regulation.
Ecodesign Requirements
Ecodesign requirements cover:
- energy efficiency
- performance
- product information
- Nozzles : Always pay attention to what the instructions say about the different nozzles that come with vacuum cleaners. Not using nozzles properly could affect the performance of the vacuum cleaner.
- Dust bags : Empty the vacuum cleaner’s dust collector or replace the dust bag regularly. If the bag or bin becomes too full, the performance of the vacuum cleaner can suffer, meaning you spend more time cleaning.
- Filters : Change or wash your vacuum cleaner’s filter regularly if required so it doesn’t block the airflow and picks up dust more easily and efficiently.
- Cleaning your vacuum cleaner can make it run more efficiently. Clean the appliance according to the manufacturer’s instructions, including under the brush roll, inside the casing and wash all the attachments.
Highlights
Domestic and non-domestic vacuum-cleaners are included in the scope of the regulation. In 1990, 121 million VCs were in use in EU27, increasing to 271 mln in 2020. A further increase to 280 mln units is expected by 2030.
Floor polishers, robot vacuums, mattress cleaners, and hand-held and cordless stick vacuum cleaners are excluded from these regulations.
Energy labelling rules for VCs set in Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 665/2013 have been annulled and these products no longer have an energy label.
Facts & Figures
This graphic shows the estimated sales, stock, energy consumption (primary, electric or fuel), greenhouse gas emissions, consumer expenses and business revenues for years 2010 and 2030. The estimated values inside the graph bars are those from the EIA ECO-scenario, they include the effects of Ecodesign and Energy Labelling measures.
The difference with the business as usual (BAU) scenario without these estimated measures is shown next to the graph bar. These figures indicate the estimated savings obtained due to the measures.
Product: Vacuum Cleaners Measures: Regulation (EU) 666/2013, (Regulation (EU) 665/2013 annulled) |
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| The striped lines in the charts show the 'Effect of the Regulations' |
SALES (x1000 units)  | STOCK (x1000 units)  | Electricity (TWh/a)  |
GHG-EMISSION  | CONSUMER EXPENSES  | REVENUES  |
Disclaimer : estimations from the Ecodesign Impact Accounting Overview Report 2023
In 2020, 271 million vacuum cleaners (VCs) were in use in the EU27 (including 45 million cordless and robots, currently not regulated). 94% is used in the residential sector, implying 1.3 vacuum cleaners per household.
Household VCs operating on mains electricity (220V) on average clean 3500 m2 per year in 38 hours of operation. Commercial VCs clean 24000 m2 per year in 300 hours.
In 2020, all VCs together cleaned a surface of 1291 thousand square kilometres. This roughly equals the combined land surface areas of France, Germany and the Benelux.
In 1990, the standardised (50 hours use per year) electricity consumption of sold regulated vacuum cleaners was 65 kWh/a. Without measures, in 2020 this would have increased to 105 kWh/a, but due to the Ecodesign regulation it has been reduced to 35 kWh/a, representing a 68% improvement.
The average power of VCs, which reached values of 1800 W around 2010, has successfully been reduced by the Ecodesign regulation to 700 W in 2020, without affecting the cleaning performance.
Source: estimations from the Ecodesign Impact Accounting Overview Report 2024
The regulations saved 11.7 TWh of electricity in 2020, projected to increase to 14.6 TWh by 2030. This implies a 52% saving compared to a scenario without Ecodesign measures.
The 2030 savings are 0.49% of the total EU27 electricity consumption in 2020, and close to the annual electricity consumption of Croatia.
Due to Ecodesign, EU27 users saved € 2.1 billion on vacuum cleaners in 2020, projected to increase to € 3.4 billion in 2030. This is a 19% saving due to the measures taken.
In 2030, the annual household vacuum cleaner expenses (incl. bag and filter costs) decrease from € 72 (without measures) to € 61.
Expected Savings
Without measures, average power of domestic VCs would have been around 2300 W in 2020 and 3000 W in 2030. Due to the measures this decreased to 948 W in 2020 and expected 900 W by 2030. Combining this with the increasing large quantities of VCs, the energy savings are significant.
Total EU27 Annual Electricity Savings on Vacuum Cleaners
Without measures, total EU27 electricity consumption by VCs would have been 26 TWh/a in 2020 and 28 TWh/a in 2030. Due to measures this was reduced to 14 TWh/a in 2020 (-45%) and projected 14 TWh/a in 2030 (-52%).
Source: estimations from the Ecodesign Impact Accounting Overview Report 2024
Policy
Ongoing legislative work
Please check the ongoing initiatives on the Have your say portal.
Commission Regulation (EU) 666/2013 of 8 July 2013 implementing Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to ecodesign requirements for vacuum cleaners Text with EEA relevance.
Disclaimer: please pay attention to possible updates/changes as indicated in the Official Journal (green dot)