prEN IEC 60704-2-6:2026

• Status: Not Published
• Publication Date: 23-Jan-2028
• ICS: 17.140.20 - Noise emitted by machines and equipment
• ICS: 97.060 - Laundry appliances
• Technical Committee: CLC/TC 59X - Consumer information related to household electrical appliances
• Current Stage: 4060 - Enquiry results established and sent to TC, SR, BTTF - Enquiry
• Start Date: 25-Sep-2026
• Completion Date: 25-Sep-2026
• Directive: 392/2012 - Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 392/2012 of 1 March 2012 supplementing Directive 2010/30/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to energy labelling of household tumble driers
• Ref Project: oSIST prEN IEC 60704-2-6:2026 - Household and similar electrical appliances - Test code for the determination of airborne acoustical noise - Part 2-6: Particular requirements for tumble dryers

• Revises: EN 60704-2-6:2012/A11:2025 - Household and similar electrical appliances - Test code for the determination of airborne acoustical noise - Part 2-6: Particular requirements for tumble dryers
• Effective Date: 18-Nov-2025
• Revises: EN 60704-2-6:2012 - Household and similar electrical appliances - Test code for the determination of airborne acoustical noise - Part 2-6: Particular requirements for tumble dryers
• Effective Date: 18-Nov-2025

prEN IEC 60704-2-6:2026 is a draft IEC/CENELEC standard for measuring airborne acoustical noise from tumble dryers. It belongs to the IEC 60704 series and is used together with IEC 60704-1:2021, which gives the general test code. The document specifies the particular test conditions, operating mode, load preparation and reporting points for single-unit electric tumble dryers for household and similar use, including gas-fired electric tumble dryers.

What does prEN IEC 60704-2-6:2026 specify?

prEN IEC 60704-2-6:2026 gives the particular requirements for tumble dryers within the airborne acoustical noise test code. It applies the general framework of IEC 60704-1:2021 to this appliance type and adds the details needed for consistent noise measurement.

The scope covers single-unit electric tumble dryers intended for floor placement, building-in, under-counter use, wall-mounting or counter placement. A note points users to IEC 60704-2-16:2019 for washer-dryers, so the document is focused on tumble dryers rather than combined washer-dryer machines.

The document is organized into clauses on scope, normative references, terms and definitions, measurement methods and acoustical environments, operation and location of appliances under test, sound pressure level measurement, information to be recorded, and information to be reported. It also contains one normative annex.

Annex	What it covers
Annex A	Standard test table

What are the key requirements of prEN IEC 60704-2-6:2026?

prEN IEC 60704-2-6:2026 sets out how to prepare, place and run tumble dryers so noise measurements are comparable between laboratories. The practical effect is that laboratories must control the appliance condition, the load, the exhaust arrangement and the test environment before they record sound data.

• Clause 4 allows the direct method and the comparison method, and says discrete tones can increase measurement spread. In practice, extra microphone or source positions may be needed, following ISO 3743-1 or ISO 3743-2.
• Clause 4.4 says ISO 3743-1, ISO 3743-2 and ISO 3744 can be used for tumble dryer noise measurements. This matters because the chosen room and method must fit the appliance size and the test setup.
• Clause 4.5 gives standard deviations for sound power levels and separate values for declaration and verification under IEC 60704-3:2019. These values are what a test house uses to judge repeatability and support declared noise values.
• Clause 6.1 requires cleaning of filters, heat exchangers and ducts named as consumer service items before each test. If the dryer can be connected to an exhaust device, the standard exhaust of Figure 101 is used, with a rigid smooth pipe and muffler meeting Table 101.
• Clause 6.1.3 requires two complete cycles in the standard test programme before noise measurements, using cotton at rated capacity. Clause 6.1.4 then requires at least 4 h of conditioning at the ambient temperature used for the test.
• Clause 6.4.2 requires the cotton programme used for the standard test load, with the load wetted to an initial moisture content of 60 % ± 1 % using water at 10 °C to 20 °C. The test continues until the final moisture content is 0 % ± 3 %, so the appliance is tested in a repeatable drying state.
• Clause 6.5 sets special mounting rules for rear outlets, wall-mounting and under-counter types. For example, rear outlets use a 90° bend and a larger wall distance, while wall-mounted appliances and built-in under-counter types have their own installation conditions.
• Clause 6.101 defines the standard test load as cotton towels only and controls its age, pretreatment and conditioning. This keeps the textile load stable enough that the noise results reflect the dryer, not random changes in the load.

What terms does prEN IEC 60704-2-6:2026 define?

prEN IEC 60704-2-6:2026 defines four key terms in Clause 3 that control how the test load and appliance type are understood.

• tumble dryer - An appliance that dries textiles by tumbling them in a rotating drum while air passes through the drum.
• rated capacity - The maximum mass of dry textiles, in kg, that the manufacturer declares can be treated in the chosen programme.
• cotton towels - Towels that belong to the cotton base load defined in IEC 60456.
• standard test load - A batch of textile load made up of a specific number of cotton towels only.

Who uses prEN IEC 60704-2-6:2026?

prEN IEC 60704-2-6:2026 is used by tumble dryer manufacturers, acoustic test laboratories, and conformity assessment teams that measure airborne noise. It is also relevant to quality engineers and product developers who need repeatable noise data for household and similar laundry appliances.

Because the standard includes both electric and gas-fired electric tumble dryers, it is useful across product lines that share the same noise test objective. Buyers and specifiers can use it to compare declared noise values only when those values were produced under the same test code.

What changed in prEN IEC 60704-2-6:2026 from the previous edition?

prEN IEC 60704-2-6:2026 is the fourth edition and cancels and replaces the third edition published in 2012. The document states these significant technical changes:

• alignment to IEC 60704-1:2021
• exclusion of washer dryers
• treatment of the test load aligned to IEC 60704-2-4:2025
• changed distance to the vertical wall

Which standards are used with prEN IEC 60704-2-6:2026?

prEN IEC 60704-2-6:2026 is intended to be used with IEC 60704-1:2021, which provides the general requirements and the base test code. It also cites IEC 61121 for tumble dryer performance methods and IEC 60456:2024 for the cotton base load and related laundry treatment.

For acoustical methods and reporting, the document refers to IEC 60704-3:2019, ISO 3743-1, ISO 3743-2, ISO 3744 and ISO 7235. It also points users to IEC 60704-2-16:2019 for washer-dryers and IEC 60704-2-4:2025 for aligned test load treatment.

What does the prEN IEC 60704-2-6:2026 document contain?

prEN IEC 60704-2-6:2026 contains a standard exhaust arrangement in Figure 101, including a pipe and muffler setup, and Table 101 gives the minimum muffler insertion loss by octave band. It also includes Table 1 and Table 2 for standard deviations used in repeatability, reproducibility, declaration and verification.

The document gives the procedures for preconditioning, conditioning and intermediate treatment of the cotton towel load, including moisture control before the test. It also provides the operating sequence for the standard test programme and the timing basis for the A-weighted sound pressure level.

Clause 7 describes the microphone array, measurement surface and measurement steps for essentially free-field conditions over reflecting plane(s). Clauses 9 and 10 define what information must be recorded and reported so that test results can be traced and compared.

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-september-2026
Gospodinjski in podobni električni aparati - Postopek preskušanja za ugotavljanje
zvočnega hrupa v zraku - 2-6. del: Posebne zahteve za gospodinjske sušilne stroje
Household and similar electrical appliances - Test code for the determination of airborne
acoustical noise - Part 2-6: Particular requirements for tumble dryers
Elektrische Geräte für den Hausgebrauch und ähnliche Zwecke - Prüfvorschrift für die
Bestimmung der Luftschallemission - Teil 2-6: Besondere Anforderungen für
Wäschetrockner
Appareils électrodomestiques et analogues - Code d'essai pour la détermination du bruit
aérien - Partie 2-6: Règles particulières pour les sèche-linge à tambour
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: prEN IEC 60704-2-6:2026
ICS:
17.140.20 Emisija hrupa naprav in Noise emitted by machines
opreme and equipment
97.060 Aparati za nego perila Laundry appliances
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

59D/543/CDV
COMMITTEE DRAFT FOR VOTE (CDV)
PROJECT NUMBER:
IEC 60704-2-6 ED4
DATE OF CIRCULATION: CLOSING DATE FOR VOTING:
2026-07-03 2026-09-25
SUPERSEDES DOCUMENTS:
59D/538/CD, 59D/542/CC
IEC SC 59D : PERFORMANCE OF HOUSEHOLD AND SIMILAR ELECTRICAL LAUNDRY APPLIANCES
SECRETARIAT: SECRETARY:
Italy Ms Milena Presutto
OF INTEREST TO THE FOLLOWING COMMITTEES: HORIZONTAL FUNCTION(S):

ASPECTS CONCERNED:
Environment
SUBMITTED FOR CENELEC PARALLEL VOTING NOT SUBMITTED FOR CENELEC PARALLEL VOTING
Attention IEC-CENELEC parallel voting
The attention of IEC National Committees, members of
CENELEC, is drawn to the fact that this Committee Draft for
Vote (CDV) is submitted for parallel voting.
The CENELEC members are invited to vote through the
CENELEC online voting system.
This document is still under study and subject to change. It should not be used for reference purposes.
Recipients of this document are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant patent rights of which t hey
are aware and to provide supporting documentation.
Recipients of this document are invited to submit, with their comments, notification of any relevant “In Some Countries”
clauses to be included should this proposal proceed. Recipients are reminded that the CDV stage is the final stage for
submitting ISC clauses. (SEE AC/22/2007 OR NEW GUIDANCE DOC).

TITLE:
Household and similar electrical appliances - Test code for the determination of airborne acoustical
noise - Part 2-6: Particular requirements for tumble dryers

PROPOSED STABILITY DATE: 2030
NOTE FROM TC/SC OFFICERS:
This CDV of IEC 60704-2-6 Household and similar electrical appliances - Test code for the determination of
airborne acoustical noise - Part 2-6: Particular requirements for tumble dryers, has been prepared by
TC59/JSWG 2 Acoustical noise of household and similar electrical appliances in cooperation with SC 59D
Performance of household and similar electrical laundry appliances.

electronic file, to make a copy and to print out the content for the sole purpose of preparing National Committee positions.
You may not copy or "mirror" the file or printed version of the document, or any part of it, for any other purpose without
permission in writing from IEC.

IEC CDV 60704-2-6 © IEC 2026
1 CONTENTS
2 FOREWORD . 2
3 INTRODUCTION . 4
4 1 Scope . 5
5 2 Normative references . 5
6 3 Terms and definitions . 5
7 4 Measurement methods and acoustical environments . 6
8 4.2 Direct method . 6
9 4.3 Comparison method . 6
10 4.4 Acoustical environments . 6
11 4.5 Measurement uncertainties . 6
12 6 Operation and location of appliances under test . 7
13 6.1 Equipping and pre-conditioning of appliances . 7
14 6.2 Supply of electric energy and of water or gas . 9
15 6.3 Climatic conditions . 9
16 6.4 Loading and operating of appliances during tests . 9
17 6.5 Location and mounting of appliances . 10
18 6.101 Standard test load for noise measurements . 11
19 7 Measurement of sound pressure levels . 12
20 7.1 Microphone array, measurement surface and RSS location for essentially
21 free-field conditions over reflecting plane(s) . 12
22 7.4 Measurements . 12
23 9 Information to be recorded . 12
24 9.6 Equipment and pre-conditioning of appliance under test . 12
25 9.7 Electric supply, water supply, etc. . 12
26 10 Information to be reported . 12
27 Annexes . 13
28 Annex A (normative) Standard test table . 13
29 Bibliography . 14
31 Figure 101 – Standard Exhaust . 8
33 Table 1 – Standard deviations of sound power levels . 8
34 Table 2 – Standard deviations for declaration and verification . 8
35 Table 101 – Minimum insertion loss of the muffler – . 9
IEC CDV 60704-2-6 © IEC 2026
38 INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION
39 ____________
41 HOUSEHOLD AND SIMILAR ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES –
42 TEST CODE FOR THE DETERMINATION
43 OF AIRBORNE ACOUSTICAL NOISE –
45 Part 2-6: Particular requirements for tumble dryers
48 FOREWORD
49 1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising
50 all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote international
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65 4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications
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70 services carried out by independent certification bodies.
71 6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edition of this publication.
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77 8) Attention is drawn to the Normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is
78 indispensable for the correct application of this publication.
79 9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of patent
80 rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
81 International Standard IEC 60704-2-6 has been prepared by subcommittee 59D: Home laundry
82 appliances, of IEC technical committee 59: Performance of household electrical appliances .
83 This fourth edition cancels and replaces the third edition published in 2012. This edition
84 constitutes a technical revision.
85 This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous
86 edition:
87 a) alignment to IEC 60704-1:2021;
88 b) exclusion of washer dryers;
89 c) treatment of test load aligned to IEC 60704-2-4:2025;
90 d) distance to the vertical wall has been changed.
91 The text of this standard is based on the following documents:
IEC CDV 60704-2-6 © IEC 2026
FDIS Report on voting
59D/xxx/xxx 59D/xxx/xxx
93 Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on
94 voting indicated in the above table.
95 This document has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
96 This document is intended to be used in conjunction with the fourth edition of IEC 60704-1:2021,
97 Household and similar electrical appliances – Test code for the determination of airborne
98 acoustical noise – Part 1: General requirements.
99 The relevant text of IEC 60704-1:2021 as amended by this document establishes the test code
100 for tumble dryers.
101 This document supplements or modifies the corresponding clauses in IEC 60704-1:2021. When
102 a particular subclause of IEC 60704-1:2021 is not mentioned in this document, that subclause
103 is applicable as far as reasonable. Where this document states "addition", "modification" or
104 "replacement", the relevant requirements, test specifications or explanatory matter in
105 IEC 60704-1:2021 should be adapted accordingly.
106 Subclauses, tables and figures that are numbered starting from 101 are additional to those in
107 IEC 60704-1:2021. Additional annexes are lettered AA, BB, etc.
108 Unless notes are in a new subclause or involve notes in IEC 60704-1:2021, they are numbered
109 starting from 101, including those in a replaced clause or subclause.
110 Words in bold in the text are defined in Clause 3.
111 A list of all the parts in the IEC 60704 series, published under the general title Household and
112 similar electrical appliances – Test code for the determination of airborne acoustical noise, can
113 be found on the IEC website.
114 The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until the
115 stability date indicated on the IEC web site under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data related to
116 the specific publication. At this date, the publication will be
117 • reconfirmed,
118 • withdrawn,
119 • replaced by a revised edition, or
120 • amended.
IEC CDV 60704-2-6 © IEC 2026
123 INTRODUCTION
124 The measuring conditions specified in this document provide for sufficient accuracy in
125 determining the noise emitted and comparing the results of measurements taken by different
126 laboratories, whilst simulating as far as possible the practical use of tumble dryers.
127 It is recommended to consider the determination of noise levels as part of a comprehensive
128 testing procedure covering many aspects of properties and performance of household tumble
129 dryers.
130 NOTE As stated in the introduction to IEC 60704-1:2021, this test code is concerned with airborne noise only.
IEC CDV 60704-2-6 © IEC 2026
132 HOUSEHOLD AND SIMILAR ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES –
133 TEST CODE FOR THE DETERMINATION
134 OF AIRBORNE ACOUSTICAL NOISE –
136 Part 2-6: Particular requirements for tumble dryers
140 1 Scope
141 Addition:
142 These particular requirements apply to single unit electric tumble dryers for household and
143 similar use intended for placing on the floor against a wall, for building-in or placing under a
144 counter, a kitchen worktop or under a sink, for wall-mounting or on a counter.
145 NOTE 101 For washer-dryers, see IEC 60704-2-16:2019.
146 This standard is also applicable for gas-fired electric tumble dryers.
147 NOTE 102 For determining and verifying noise emission values declared in product specifications, see
148 IEC 60704-3:2019.
150 2 Normative references
151 Addition:
152 IEC 61121: ― , Tumble dryers for household use – Methods for measuring the performance
153 IEC 60456:2024, Washing machines for household use – Methods for measuring the
154 performance
155 3 Terms and definitions
156 Addition:
157 3.101
158 tumble dryer
159 appliance in which textiles are dried by tumbling in a rotating drum, through which air is passed
160 [SOURCE: IEC 61121: —, 3
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