New EU Regulations for Vacuum Cleaners
"The new EU regulations for vacuum cleaners will mean that the Allergy UK testing and Seal of Approval will be even more important because allergy sufferers and other people who want to avoid allergens will need to know which of the lower powered vacuum cleaners is suitable for them."
Background information
The new EU regulations for vacuum cleaners are aimed at reducing energy consumption. To achieve this, new limits will be introduced on the power of the vacuum cleaners which mean that from September 2014 the maximum wattage of new vacuum cleaners will be limited to 1600W and from September 2017 power will be limited to 900W. The new regulations also cover specifications for dust pick up, emissions and noise, and a new eco labelling system. There has been extensive coverage in the media of these reductions in vacuum cleaner power ratings but some of it has been misleading.
Many vacuum cleaners which are currently available in the UK have power ratings above these limits. Some people are concerned that the new regulations will impact on cleaning efficiency. In particular people with allergies that are triggered by indoor allergens are worried that the lower power vacuum cleaners will not pick up house dust mite, cat and other allergens effectively.
The idea that more powerful vacuum cleaners are always more efficient at cleaning is erroneous. There is a general relationship between vacuum cleaner watt rating and suction performance but it is not linear and it depends on many factors, such as design to maximise efficiency, the filters used, filter maintenance and the type of head. Allergy UK has been testing vacuum cleaners for their Seal of Approval for over 20 years. The results of these rigorous scientific tests show that some vacuum cleaners with relatively low watt ratings have performed as well or even better in the same tests than some with high watt ratings.
The Allergy UK tests differ from those that are required for the EU regulations on power, dust pick up and emissions in many important ways. In particular the EU tests use inert dust whereas the Allergy UK tests use allergenic dust (e.g. dust containing house dust mite, cat, dog, fungi and other allergens as would be found in homes). Pick up of the allergens in this biologically active dust is assessed together with emissions of allergens to the breathing zone, and other relevant factors.
"The new EU regulations for vacuum cleaners will mean that the Allergy UK testing and Seal of Approval will be even more important because allergy sufferers and other people who want to avoid allergens will need to know which of the lower powered vacuum cleaners is suitable for them."
Background information
The new EU regulations for vacuum cleaners are aimed at reducing energy consumption. To achieve this, new limits will be introduced on the power of the vacuum cleaners which mean that from September 2014 the maximum wattage of new vacuum cleaners will be limited to 1600W and from September 2017 power will be limited to 900W. The new regulations also cover specifications for dust pick up, emissions and noise, and a new eco labelling system. There has been extensive coverage in the media of these reductions in vacuum cleaner power ratings but some of it has been misleading.
Many vacuum cleaners which are currently available in the UK have power ratings above these limits. Some people are concerned that the new regulations will impact on cleaning efficiency. In particular people with allergies that are triggered by indoor allergens are worried that the lower power vacuum cleaners will not pick up house dust mite, cat and other allergens effectively.
The idea that more powerful vacuum cleaners are always more efficient at cleaning is erroneous. There is a general relationship between vacuum cleaner watt rating and suction performance but it is not linear and it depends on many factors, such as design to maximise efficiency, the filters used, filter maintenance and the type of head. Allergy UK has been testing vacuum cleaners for their Seal of Approval for over 20 years. The results of these rigorous scientific tests show that some vacuum cleaners with relatively low watt ratings have performed as well or even better in the same tests than some with high watt ratings.
The Allergy UK tests differ from those that are required for the EU regulations on power, dust pick up and emissions in many important ways. In particular the EU tests use inert dust whereas the Allergy UK tests use allergenic dust (e.g. dust containing house dust mite, cat, dog, fungi and other allergens as would be found in homes). Pick up of the allergens in this biologically active dust is assessed together with emissions of allergens to the breathing zone, and other relevant factors.
