Vacuum cleaners are already subject to EU ecodesign requirements limiting motor power to 900W and setting minimum energy efficiency requirements. The ESPR delegated act will add a Digital Product Passport requirement with recycled plastic content, battery replaceability (for cordless models), repairability score, and carbon footprint. The EU sells approximately 30 million vacuum cleaners per year.
Existing Ecodesign Requirements for Vacuum Cleaners
Requirement
Standard
In Force Since
Maximum motor power
900W
1 September 2017
Minimum energy efficiency
Class E on EU energy label
1 September 2017
Minimum dust re-emission
Class A on EU energy label
1 September 2017
Minimum carpet cleaning performance
Class E on EU energy label
1 September 2017
Noise level disclosure
Mandatory in product information sheet
1 September 2017
Truth Anchor: Commission Regulation (EU) 2013/666 (as amended) remains in force under ESPR Article 74. Vacuum cleaner motor power is limited to 900W. — EUR-Lex CELEX:32024R1781
Cordless Vacuum Cleaners: The Battery Replaceability Issue
The rapid growth of cordless vacuum cleaners (Dyson, Shark, Miele, etc.) has created a significant repairability problem. Most cordless vacuum cleaners have non-replaceable batteries that degrade after 2–3 years, making the product effectively disposable. ESPR is expected to require battery replaceability for cordless vacuum cleaners as a repairability requirement.
The Battery Regulation (EU 2023/1542) already requires portable batteries in appliances to be removable and replaceable by the end user from 18 February 2027. This requirement applies to cordless vacuum cleaner batteries. Manufacturers who have not yet designed for battery replaceability must do so before February 2027.
Expected DPP Data Fields for Vacuum Cleaners
Data Field
Annex III Category
Status
Energy efficiency class
Energy performance
Already required
Motor power (W)
Energy performance
Already required
Dust re-emission class
Resource efficiency
Already required
Battery type and capacity (cordless)
Durability and reliability
New under ESPR delegated act
Battery replaceability (cordless)
Repairability
Required under Battery Regulation from Feb 2027
Recycled plastic content
Recycled content
New under ESPR delegated act
Carbon footprint per unit
Carbon footprint
New under ESPR delegated act
Repairability score
Repairability
New under ESPR delegated act
What Vacuum Cleaner Manufacturers Must Do Now
Verify compliance with existing ecodesign requirements: Confirm motor power is within 900W limit and energy efficiency class meets minimum requirements.
Design for battery replaceability (cordless models): Ensure cordless vacuum cleaner batteries are removable and replaceable by the end user by 18 February 2027, as required by the Battery Regulation.
Audit recycled plastic content: Determine recycled ABS and other plastic content in vacuum cleaner housings and components.
Conduct lifecycle carbon footprint assessment: Calculate the carbon footprint of vacuum cleaner models. Focus on manufacturing phase and use phase (energy consumption per hour of use).
Prepare DPP data templates: Create DPP data templates for all vacuum cleaner models, including separate templates for corded and cordless models.
Vacuum Cleaners Under ESPR: Energy and Performance Requirements
Vacuum cleaners are currently subject to the Ecodesign Regulation for vacuum cleaners (Regulation (EU) 2013/666), which sets maximum rated input power (900W for household vacuum cleaners) and minimum dust re-emission requirements. The ESPR vacuum cleaner delegated act will replace this regulation and add new requirements for recycled content, repairability, and the Digital Product Passport.
Vacuum Cleaner DPP: Expected Data Fields
Data Category
Expected Data Fields
Status
Energy performance
Annual energy consumption (kWh), rated input power (W)
Existing (EU 2013/666)
Cleaning performance
Carpet cleaning class, hard floor cleaning class, dust re-emission class
Existing (EU 2013/666)
Noise
Airborne acoustical noise (dB(A))
Existing
Repairability
Repairability score, motor replacement availability, filter availability
New (ESPR)
Recycled content
Recycled plastics % in housing and components
New (ESPR Annex III)
Carbon footprint
CO2e per year of operation
New (ESPR Annex III)
Durability
Expected lifetime (years), motor warranty
New (ESPR Annex III)
Cordless Vacuum Cleaners and Battery Requirements
Cordless vacuum cleaners contain lithium-ion batteries that are subject to the EU Battery Regulation. The Battery Regulation's portable battery provisions will require battery passports for vacuum cleaner batteries from 2027. Manufacturers of cordless vacuum cleaners must coordinate their ESPR DPP with their Battery Regulation battery passport to ensure consistent data across both compliance documents.
Vacuum Cleaners Under Existing Ecodesign Regulation
Vacuum cleaners have been subject to EU Ecodesign and Energy Labelling requirements since 2014 under Regulation (EU) 666/2013 and the Energy Labelling Regulation (EU) 665/2013. The current regulations set maximum rated input power limits (900W for household vacuum cleaners), minimum dust re-emission performance, minimum cleaning effectiveness on hard floor and carpet, and minimum filter efficiency. The ESPR delegated act for vacuum cleaners will extend these requirements to include Digital Product Passport obligations and will likely introduce enhanced durability requirements — minimum motor lifetime, minimum brush roll lifetime, and spare parts availability commitments.
Cordless Vacuum Cleaners and Battery ESPR
Cordless vacuum cleaners — including stick vacuums and robot vacuums — contain rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that are subject to the EU Battery Regulation (EU 2023/1542). The ESPR delegated act for vacuum cleaners will intersect with the Battery Regulation's DPP requirements — the vacuum cleaner DPP will need to reference the battery DPP for the integrated battery, or include the battery data directly if the battery is not separately replaceable. The Battery Regulation requires that batteries in appliances be removable and replaceable by end users or independent repairers by 2027. Vacuum cleaner manufacturers that have designed products with non-removable batteries will need to redesign their products to comply with this requirement.
Robot Vacuum Cleaners and AI-Driven Cleaning Systems
Robot vacuum cleaners represent a rapidly growing segment of the vacuum cleaner market. These products contain more complex electronics than traditional vacuum cleaners — including sensors, cameras, mapping systems, and wireless connectivity. The ESPR delegated act for vacuum cleaners will need to address the software dimension of robot vacuums — specifically, the minimum period for which software updates must be provided and the end-of-life data deletion requirements. The EU's Cyber Resilience Act (CRA) also applies to connected vacuum cleaners, requiring manufacturers to implement security by design and provide security updates for the expected product lifetime. Manufacturers of robot vacuum cleaners must ensure their products comply with ESPR, the Battery Regulation, and the Cyber Resilience Act simultaneously.
Vacuum Cleaner Type
Current Max. Rated Power (EU 666/2013)
ESPR DPP Expected
Corded upright vacuum
900W
2026–2027
Corded cylinder vacuum
900W
2026–2027
Cordless stick vacuum
No power limit — battery-powered
2026–2027 (Battery Reg. interaction)
Robot vacuum cleaner
No power limit — battery-powered
2026–2027 (CRA interaction)
Central vacuum system
Not covered by EU 666/2013
2028–2029
Vacuum Cleaner Ecodesign Regulation: Current Requirements
Vacuum cleaners are already subject to Ecodesign requirements under Regulation (EU) 666/2013, which sets minimum energy efficiency requirements and limits on noise levels. The regulation was amended by Regulation (EU) 2019/2021, which introduced stricter energy efficiency requirements and new requirements for dust re-emission and filtration efficiency. When the vacuum cleaner regulation is revised under ESPR, the DPP requirements will be added to the existing ecodesign requirements. The DPP for vacuum cleaners is expected to include: energy efficiency class (A–G), annual energy consumption (kWh/year), noise level (dB), filtration efficiency (HEPA rating), dust re-emission class, motor lifetime (expected number of operating hours), availability of replacement bags and filters, and repairability score.
Yes. Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/2021 (as amended) sets minimum energy efficiency requirements for vacuum cleaners. These requirements entered into force in 2017 and remain in force under ESPR Article 74.
Commission Regulation (EU) 2013/666 (as amended) limits vacuum cleaner motor power to 900W from 1 September 2017. The minimum energy efficiency class on the EU energy label is E.
The ESPR delegated act for vacuum cleaners is expected in 2027-2029. From the compliance date, every vacuum cleaner placed on the EU market must have a valid DPP.
The delegated act is expected to require disclosure of recycled plastic content in vacuum cleaner housings and components. Vacuum cleaners contain significant quantities of ABS and other engineering plastics.
For cordless vacuum cleaners, the ESPR delegated act is expected to require battery replaceability as a repairability requirement. Non-replaceable batteries are a major repairability barrier for cordless vacuum cleaners.
Register Your Digital Product Passport
The EU DPP Registry goes live on 19 July 2026. EU customs will verify DPP compliance automatically from that date. Products without a valid DPP can be refused entry. Register now at Africa’s first ESPR-compliant DPP registry.
Current Ecodesign Requirements for Vacuum Cleaners
Vacuum cleaners are currently subject to ecodesign requirements under EU Regulation 666/2013 and energy labelling requirements under EU Regulation 665/2013. These regulations set maximum rated input power requirements (900W for household vacuum cleaners from September 2017) and minimum requirements for dust re-emission, carpet cleaning effectiveness, hard floor cleaning effectiveness, and noise. The ESPR delegated act for vacuum cleaners will build on these requirements and add DPP data disclosure, repairability requirements, and recyclability requirements.
The vacuum cleaner market has undergone significant changes since the current ecodesign regulation was adopted in 2013. Cordless vacuum cleaners (powered by lithium-ion batteries) have grown from a niche product to a mainstream category, and robotic vacuum cleaners have become increasingly popular. The ESPR delegated act for vacuum cleaners is expected to address these new product types, including requirements for battery replaceability in cordless vacuum cleaners (to avoid premature disposal when the battery degrades) and software update commitments for robotic vacuum cleaners.
Frequently Asked Questions
The ESPR delegated act for vacuum cleaners is expected to be adopted in 2025–2026, superseding EU Regulation 666/2013. Manufacturers should plan for compliance by 2027–2028. The existing regulation remains in force until the ESPR delegated act takes effect.
The ESPR delegated act for vacuum cleaners is expected to require that batteries in cordless vacuum cleaners are replaceable by the user or by authorised repair technicians, consistent with the EU Battery Regulation's requirements for consumer batteries. This will prevent premature disposal of cordless vacuum cleaners when the battery degrades.
Yes. Robotic vacuum cleaners are expected to fall within the scope of the ESPR delegated act for vacuum cleaners. The delegated act is expected to include requirements for software update commitments, battery replaceability, and DPP data disclosure for robotic vacuum cleaners. The interaction with the Radio Equipment Directive (for connected devices) will also need to be considered.
The delegated act is expected to require manufacturers to make available spare parts for vacuum cleaners for a minimum period after last sale. Key parts include: filters (HEPA and pre-motor), dust bags, brush rolls, belts, and batteries (for cordless models). The DPP must disclose spare parts availability and pricing.
The EU energy label for vacuum cleaners was rescaled in September 2017 (from A+++ to A-G). The ESPR delegated act may require further rescaling as the market improves. The DPP will include the energy label class and the rated input power, providing a machine-readable version of the energy label data.