EU hoover ban: Powerful vacuums outlawed
EU ban on high-power vacuum cleaners comes into force, hitting five of the seven best-rated products
Sir James Dyson, the creative force behind Dyson vacuum cleaners, is seeking a judicial review of a new EU law that has banned the sale of some of the most powerful vacuums on the market, which are officially outlawed from today.
The new EU energy label prohibits manufacturers from making and importing vacuum cleaners with a motor that exceeds 1,600 watts.
What's the law for?
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"The new European rules are part of the EU's energy efficiency directive, designed to help tackle climate change," explains the BBC. And in three years time the maximum wattage will be lowered further to 900 watts.
How much energy does an average vacuum cleaner use?
On average, most cleaners on the market today operate at 1,800 watts, The Guardian says. Models at the top end, draw over 2,000 watts, such as the popular Miele s8330 model which operates at 2,200 watts.
So will UK consumers no longer be able to buy the best?
According to Which? consumer group, many of the best-rated vacuums on the market exceed 1,600 watts, "so if you're in the market for a powerful vacuum, you should act quickly, before all of the models currently available sell out". Of seven "best buy" ratings awarded by Which? vacuum cleaner reviewers, five have a motor of more than 1,600 watts.
What about Dyson cleaners?
Dyson says that its vacuum cleaners perform well in the new EU rating system, and that it has never made a product over 1,600 watts. But the company mounted its challenge because it has "many concerns about flaws in the system that will ultimately be unhelpful for consumers," the Guardian says. Some Dyson machines, such as the 1,300-watt Cinetic DC54 model, will fall foul of the tighter rules planned for 2017. A judgement from the European court of justice is due in December 2015.
How much more do top-end cleaners cost to run?
In the latest issue of its magazine, Which? noted that there is only a small difference in energy use between top models and those that would be allowed by the EU. "A Best Buy 2,200w vac costs around £27 a year to run in electricity – only around £8 more than the best-scoring 1,600w we’ve tested," says Which? Consumer groups note that the new legislation could end up being self-defeating, as lower wattage vacuum cleaners need to be used for longer to achieve the same results.
What about other household products?
The EU is consulting on changes to energy limits for other electrical goods, including hairdryers, kettles and lawnmowers, and will make a decision early next year about whether to ban high-powered models.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - December 21, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - losing it, pedal to the metal, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Three fun, festive activities to make the magic happen this Christmas Day
Inspire your children to help set the table, stage a pantomime and write thank-you letters this Christmas!
By The Week Junior Published
-
The best books of 2024 to give this Christmas
The Week Recommends From Percival Everett to Rachel Clarke these are the critics' favourite books from 2024
By The Week UK Published
-
John Prescott: was he Labour's last link to the working class?
Today's Big Quesiton 'A total one-off': tributes have poured in for the former deputy PM and trade unionist
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Last hopes for justice for UK's nuclear test veterans
Under the Radar Thousands of ex-service personnel say their lives have been blighted by aggressive cancers and genetic mutations
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will Donald Trump wreck the Brexit deal?
Today's Big Question President-elect's victory could help UK's reset with the EU, but a free-trade agreement with the US to dodge his threatened tariffs could hinder it
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What is the next Tory leader up against?
Today's Big Question Kemi Badenoch or Robert Jenrick will have to unify warring factions and win back disillusioned voters – without alienating the centre ground
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
What is Lammy hoping to achieve in China?
Today's Big Question Foreign secretary heads to Beijing as Labour seeks cooperation on global challenges and courts opportunities for trade and investment
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is Britain about to 'boil over'?
Today's Big Question A message shared across far-right groups listed more than 30 potential targets for violence in the UK today
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
UK's Starmer slams 'far-right thuggery' at riots
Speed Read The anti-immigrant violence was spurred by false rumors that the suspect in the Southport knife attack was an immigrant
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How could J.D. Vance impact the special relationship?
Today's Big Question Trump's hawkish pick for VP said UK is the first 'truly Islamist country' with a nuclear weapon
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published