Preface from AS/NZS2040: Performance of household electrical appliances - Clothes washing machines Part 2: Energy Consumption and Performance - 2005

The following text has been provided courtesy of Standards Australia.

This Standard was prepared by the Joint Standards Australia/Standards New Zealand Committee EL-015, Quality and Performance of Household Electrical Appliances, to supersede AS/NZS 2040.1:1998, Performance of household electrical appliance - Clothes washing machines. Part 1: Energy consumption and performance, on publication.

The AS/NZS 2040 series is comprised of two Parts, as follows:

AS/NZS

2040 Performance of household electrical appliances - Clothes washing machines

2040.1 Part 1: Methods for measuring performance, energy and water consumption

2040.2 Part 2: Energy efficiency labelling requirements (this Standard)

The overall objective of the AS/NZS 2040 series is to promote high levels of performance, energy efficiency and water efficiency in clothes washing machines.

The Parts of AS/NZS 2040 are summarized as follows:

(a) Part 1 Includes performance test procedures and minimum performance criteria for clothes washing machines.

(b) Part 2 Includes algorithms for the calculation of the energy efficiency star rating and comparative energy consumption, performance requirements, details of the energy efficiency label and requirements for the valid application for registration for energy efficiency labelling. It also includes the application form for registration for water efficiency labelling. It has been structured to be suitable for reference in regulatory legislation and to be used in conjunction with Part 1.

The main changes in this Standard are as follows:

(i) Introduction of new application form details and procedures for registration for energy efficiency labelling and water efficiency labelling.

(ii) Introduction of a requirement to pass the rinse performance test of AS/NZS 2040.1:2005 (also included in Amendment 1 to AS/NZS 2040.2:2000).

(iii) Refinement of cold wash and warm wash program descriptions.

(iv) Inclusion of standby power into the energy efficiency label calculations.

(v) Introduction of a requirement to enable a regulator to be able to determine the date of manufacture from information marked on the appliance.

The terms 'normative' and 'informative' have been used in this Standard to define the application of the appendix to which they apply. A 'normative' appendix is an integral part of a Standard, whereas an 'informative' appendix is only for information and guidance.

Statements expressed in mandatory terms in notes to tables and figures are deemed to be requirements of this Standard.

This Standard is published with the approval of the relevant Australian and New Zealand regulatory authorities and is structured to be suitable for reference in energy and water efficiency labelling regulatory legislation. It refers to AS/NZS 2040.1:2005 for test procedures. AS/NZS 6400 references this Standard for water efficiency labelling requirements.

From the date of publication of this Standard until 31 March 2007, regulatory authorities have advised that they will accept registration of clothes washing machines in accordance with either AS/NZS 2040.2:2000 or this Standard.

Regulatory authorities have advised that from 31 March 2007, all new registrations or changes to existing registrations submitted in Australia, and new records or changes to existing records kept in New Zealand, will need to meet the requirements of this Standard.

Regulatory authorities have advised that registrations which rely on test reports to AS/NZS 2040.1:1998 (as amended) or where products are registered to the requirements of AS/NZS 2040.2:2000 will expire on 31 March 2007. All products imported or manufactured after 31 March 2007 will require a registration and an energy label in accordance with this Standard.

Administrative arrangements during the transition period may vary so registration holders should contact their regulator to obtain detailed requirements with respect to labelling and registration requirements (refer also to Section 4 of this Standard).

Check testing, where applicable, will be undertaken to the version of the test Standard which has been used to support the current energy efficiency label for that model.

A copy of the standard can be obtained from SAI Global under licence from Standards Australia.

This page last modified 14 July 2008