IEC 60456:2024

Overview

IEC 60456:2024 is the sixth edition of the international standard published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) focused on washing machines for household use. This standard specifies comprehensive methods for measuring the performance of electric washing machines, including those with or without heating devices, and using cold and/or hot water supplies. It covers traditional household washing machines, communal-use machines in flats or launderettes, as well as electrical household washer-dryers, specifically assessing their washing functions. Additionally, the standard applies to appliances for water extraction by centrifugal force (spin extractors).

Key objectives of IEC 60456:2024 include defining the performance characteristics of washing machines-such as cleaning effectiveness, water and energy consumption, rinsing efficiency, and gentleness on fabrics-and describing standardized test methods to evaluate these metrics under controlled conditions. This ensures reliable, reproducible, and globally accepted benchmarks for manufacturers, consumers, and regulators.

Key Topics

Performance Measurement Methods

• Standardized test procedures for evaluating washing performance, rinsing, water extraction, energy and water consumption, and operational cycle duration.
• Introduction of new detergents such as IEC-P powder replacing previous standard powders, alongside new liquid and wool detergents to better reflect market practices and health/safety standards.
• Enhanced measurement techniques emphasizing cleaning performance rather than just washing, with specialized tests for wool and cold-water cleaning.
• Evaluation of gentleness of action (GoA) to assess fabric care during wash cycles.
• Specification for testing intermittently recurring functions and low power consumption modes.

Test Load and Preparation

• Detailed protocols for preparing test loads including an expanded description of load compositions up to and beyond 25 kg of cotton, plus the introduction of mixed polyester-cotton loads.
• Conditioning procedures of test loads under varying ambient conditions, with associated correction factors to ensure comparability.

Multi-Compartment Washing Machines

• Inclusion of new definitions and methods for washing machines with multiple compartments, allowing for wider applicability.

Reference Machines and Equipment

• Use of reference washing machines and specific instrumentation such as spectrophotometers and rinse test equipment to ensure consistent measurement.
• Relocation of supplementary information (e.g., maintenance, uncertainty values) to an accessible IEC supporting documents dashboard for transparency.

Applications

IEC 60456:2024 serves a broad range of stakeholders by providing:

• Manufacturers with clear, internationally harmonized testing methods to evaluate and optimize washing machine performance, supporting innovation and quality assurance.
• Regulatory bodies and policymakers with objective criteria to define minimum performance standards and labeling requirements for energy efficiency, water usage, and detergency.
• Consumers with assurance that washing machines assessed according to these methods meet reliable performance benchmarks, enabling better purchasing decisions.
• Testing laboratories with standardized procedures to conduct repeatable and comparable product assessments worldwide.
• Retailers and certification bodies with metrics to verify claims made by washing machine producers, assisting in product certification and market surveillance.

By focusing exclusively on household and communal use appliances, IEC 60456:2024 excludes commercial laundry machines but lays the groundwork for future standards in that area.

Related Standards

• IEC 62512 - Covers performance assessment of household washer-dryer machines, integrating drying functionalities with washing performance.
• IEC 61121 - Specifies performance assessment methods for household tumble dryers.
• IEC 60704 Series - Addresses acoustical noise measurements and evaluation for household washing machines, complementing the performance testing provided in IEC 60456.
• Upcoming standards under evaluation specifically target commercial washing machines, expanding the scope beyond household use.

Summary

IEC 60456:2024 represents a vital update to international criteria for measuring the performance of household washing machines. It introduces refined methods and test materials aligned with current market realities and safety considerations, ensuring accurate, fair, and repeatable performance data. This standard supports advancements in energy and water efficiency, fabric care, and overall washing effectiveness, empowering manufacturers, regulators, and consumers globally with trustworthy performance benchmarks.