The Swiss Federal Council has decided to amend the country’s ordinance on energy efficiency requirements for electrical equipment (OEEE) to reduce the electricity consumption of new electrical appliances. These include dishwashers, washing machines, refrigeration equipment, lamps, electronic displays, transformers, motors, servers, power supplies, air heaters, and welding equipment. The aim is to facilitate trade with the EU by integrating the European community’s stricter energy efficiency requirements into Swiss law. It is important to note that for refrigerators and freezers, the current, more stringent Swiss legislation will remain in effect.
This revision reintroduces the original A to G scale used to classify the energy efficiency of appliances, setting a significantly higher bar for energy efficiency. For example, an appliance previously rated as A+++ will now fall into categories B or C. Additionally, the new regulations introduce requirements for displaying energy consumption in sales documents and advertising, as well as provisions related to repairs, the supply of spare parts, and the reuse of equipment.
Implementation Timeline of the Changes by Category:
- Refrigeration Equipment: Effective from March 1, 2021
- Washing Machines: Effective from March 1, 2021
- Dishwashers: Effective from March 1, 2021
- Vacuum Cleaners (abolition of energy label): Effective from May 15, 2020
- Electronic Displays: Effective from March 1, 2021
- External Power Supplies: Effective from May 15, 2020
- Electric Motors: Effective from July 1, 2021
- Transformers: Effective from May 15, 2020
- Refrigeration Equipment (consumer sales): Effective from March 1, 2021
- Light Sources and Power Supplies: Effective from September 1, 2021
- Air Heaters, Cooling Devices, and Fan Coils: Effective from January 1, 2021
- Servers and Data Storage Products: Effective from May 15, 2020
- Welding Equipment: Effective from January 1, 2021
These measures aim to align Swiss standards with EU regulations, promoting higher energy efficiency and facilitating smoother international trade. For more detailed information or inquiries, please fill out the contact form at the bottom of the page.
