Scope of the regulations
Tumble dryers covered in the ecodesign and energy labelling regulations are
appliances, in which textiles are dried by tumbling in a rotating drum through which heated air is passed.
The regulations still in force, until the end of June 2025 cover built-in tumble dryers for non-household use and those sold for non-household use. The new regulations of 2023 going into force in July 2025 only cover dryers for household use.
Both the current and the new regulations include:
- Electric mains-operated tumble dryers:
- Condenser dryers with heat pump or heat element.
- Air-vented dryers.
- Gas-fired dryers.
- Free-standing and built-in household tumble dryers (all shell types included).
The new regulation includes:
- Multi-drum household tumble dryers.
- Electric mains-operated household tumble dryers that can also be powered by batteries
Both the current and the new regulations do not apply to:
- Household washer-dryers and household spin-extractors (products are in the scope of 2019/2023).
The new regulations do not apply to:
- Tumble dryers in the scope of Directive 2006/42/EC, e.g., if they are designed for:
- Custom-built evaluation kits destined for professionals to be used solely at research and development facilities for such purposes.
- For use in an explosive atmosphere.
- Medical purposes.
- Purely battery-operated tumble dryers.
- Battery-operated household tumble-dryers that can be connected to the mains through an AC/DC converter purchased separately.