Washing machines in the Trade Inspection laboratory: energy use, water use and spin noise matched the energy labels in all 10 models
On 20 February 2026 Poland’s competition and consumer protection office UOKiK reported on a check of 10 washing machine models in which a laboratory verified the parameters declared by suppliers on the energy labels. All models passed the tests — the declarations matched the results; the only formal irregularity, in online sales, has already been corrected by the trader.
- The checks were carried out from June to September 2025 by the Trade Inspection’s regional inspectorates in Białystok, Kielce, Lublin and Rzeszów at 9 bricks-and-mortar shops; most of the washing machines came from outside the EU. The verification had three stages: the point of sale, the seller’s website and laboratory testing.
- The laboratory checked the weighted energy consumption (average per washing cycle at full, half and quarter load, in kWh per cycle), the weighted water consumption (full and half load, in litres per cycle), airborne acoustic noise emissions in the spin phase, the energy efficiency class and the duration of the “eco 40-60” programme at full load.
- The legal basis was the Polish Act of 14 September 2012 on the energy labelling of energy-related products, Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 setting a framework for energy labelling and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2014 on the energy labelling of household washing machines and washer-dryers.
- The only irregularity concerned a seller’s website: the product information sheet was missing and the label was not displayed near the price. The report reminds suppliers to register products in the EPREL database; the minimum fine for a breach was PLN 8,181.72 in 2025, and a multiple of it may be imposed for each breach found.
Source: UOKiK — Pranie brudów – kontrola Inspekcji Handlowej (20.02.2026)