For Industry
Clothes washing machines
Overview
Clothes washing machines are a large investment for consumers, not only in the upfront purchase price, but also in ongoing running costs. The Energy Rating Label helps consumers make informed choices by allowing them to compare energy efficiency and running costs across different models.
At a Glance
To fully understand legislative requirements, registrants should review the 2024 determination and its Explanatory Statement. They can be accessed from the Federal Registration of Legislation using the link in the table below.
| Determination | Minimum Energy Performance Standards | Energy Rating Label |
|---|---|---|
|
Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (Clothes Washing Machines) Determination 2024 Commenced 4 October 2025 |
Yes | Yes |
The determination:
- creates minimum energy performance standards for clothes washing machines
- updates the testing and labelling requirements
- introduces new Australian and New Zealand standards.
Suppliers can continue to sell existing registered models. These requirements take effect when a model needs to be registered for sale in Australia.
Legislation
In Australia, this product is regulated under the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards Act 2012.
In New Zealand, the relevant legislation is the Energy Efficiency (Energy Using Products) Regulations 2002. New Zealand has different requirements. Visit Clothes washers on the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority website for more information.
What products are and not covered
-
Covered
Products covered by the new determination include:
- household top loading non-drum type washers (usually impeller or agitator that are not a drum type)
- front and top loading drum type washers
- multi-compartment clothes washing machines (for example, twin tubs)
- the washer function of combination washer/dryer units (washer dryer combos).
Refer to section 7 of the determination for more details.
-
Not covered
The determination does not cover clothes washing machines:
- that have a rated load capacity of less than 1kg of clothes, regardless of warm/cold wash types
- with a rated load capacity of less than or equal to 2kg for all textile materials with no connections to a mains water supply and no pump or other means for extracting water
- that are only capable of being used for cold wash operations and have
- no provision for internal water heating
- a single water connection marked only for cold water
- automatic fill control
- no program that indicates (directly or indirectly) that a program other than a cold wash program is possible
- a user manual that explicitly states it is only suitable for cold washing operations
- no associated product literature that states it is suitable for anything other than cold washing operations.
Refer to section 7 of the determination for more details.
Technical requirements
-
Standards
The determination references:
- AS/NZS 2040.1:2021 Performance of household electrical appliances - Clothes washing machines, Part 1: Methods for measuring performance, energy and water consumption
- AS/NZS 2040.2:2021 Performance of household electrical appliances - Clothes washing machines, Part 2: Energy efficiency labelling requirements.
The version of the standards that apply are the versions, including amendments, that existed when the determination came into force.
-
Minimum Standards
The determination creates minimum energy performance standards (MEPS), specified in section 8 of the determination.
The MEPS are not expected to result in any model being forced from the market.
-
Testing your product
Testing your model is simple, but make sure you match the test report with the registration application you make.
The determination requires clothes washing machines to be tested against a new standard (AS/NZS 2040 Performance of household electrical appliances - Clothes washing machines, Part 1 and Part 2 2021).
The determination and standards incorporate several changes to how the performance of clothes washing machines are tested, including:
- how multi-compartment clothes washing machines can be tested and rated
- the test voltage, which is 230 V.
-
Other
Clothes washing machines must meet the performance requirements mentioned in:
- Section 3.2 of AS/NZS 2442.2:2000 (Drying Clothes in a Single Operation)
- Section 3.3 of AS/NZS 2442.2:2000 (Maximum Fabric Temperature).
Labelling requirements
The Energy Rating Label has changed and you must display the new:
- base Energy Rating Label used for models that meet 6 or below star ratings in half star rating increments
- super-efficiency Energy Rating Label used for models that meet 7 or above star ratings in full star rating increments.
The determination incorporates information on the Energy Rating Label and how the label is displayed.
Labelling transition
Models that were previously registered against the old 2015 determination can apply transitional arrangements to labelling for the remainder of the registration period. This means that some models may display either the new or the old label. Only one label should be displayed on any one product.
If a model is selected for check testing, the laboratory will test the product to the standards quoted on the energy rating label affixed to the purchased product. Market Surveillance will continue to check that the label on the product matches the registration record, and that the product is correctly registered.
Program Time
Energy Rating Labels for clothes washing machines must include ‘Program Time’, which is the time the product requires to complete the program used to measure its energy performance.
Displaying the Label
Products on display must include a label on the packaging, or if it is displayed outside the packaging, it should be applied on the model.
In each case, the Energy Rating Label must be clearly visible either printed on, adhered to, or be part of the packaging. If adhered to the packaging, then it can be attached by a double-sided swing tag or non-rotating single sided swing tag.
Need more help?
More information about the labelling requirements can be found in the determination and the standard, Performance of household electrical appliances - Clothes washing machines, Part 2: Energy efficiency labelling requirements – AS/NZS 2040.2:2021.
See Labelling for general labelling information and resources.
Models registered to the 2015 determination
Existing registrations have been updated in the Energy Rating Registration system to be registered against the 2024 determination. Registrants don’t need to do anything, and the registration will retain its remaining period of registration.