M/459 - Refrigerating appliances

Purpose

The mandate M/459 tasks the European standardisation organisations CEN, CENELEC, and ETSI with developing harmonised standards in the field of household refrigerating appliances. The objective is to support the implementation of EU policies and legislation aimed at improving the safety, energy efficiency, and environmental performance of these appliances.

Standardisation request

The request is directed to CEN (European Committee for Standardization), CENELEC (European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization), and ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute) to collaborate on producing standards related to household refrigerating appliances. These standards are intended to provide technical specifications and testing methods that ensure compliance with relevant EU regulations.

Expected deliverables

Deliverables expected under this mandate include harmonised European standards covering various aspects of household refrigerating appliances such as:

• Safety requirements
• Energy efficiency criteria
• Measurement and testing methodologies
• Environmental impact considerations (e.g., refrigerants and emissions)

The standards should align with EU policy goals, enabling manufacturers to demonstrate conformity and facilitating market surveillance.

Context

This mandate supports the EU’s broader efforts to promote sustainable consumption and production, particularly in the domestic appliance sector. Household refrigerating appliances represent a significant share of household energy consumption, and harmonised standards contribute to reducing their environmental footprint while ensuring consumer protection and fair market conditions. The involvement of CEN, CENELEC, and ETSI highlights the multidisciplinary nature of the standards, covering mechanical, electrical, and communication technologies used in refrigeration appliances.