Toasters, juicers and treadmills are the latest appliances facing European Union power restrictions.
In its attempt to reduce energy consumption by 30 per cent by 2030, the EU has produced a list of 30 appliances that it believes could have their output reduced or be banned altogether.
The new rules being discussed in Brussels, called the “Ecodesign” directives, follow on from the banning of powerful vacuum cleaners.
Retailers have said this week that there has been panic-buying of models of more than 1,600 watts. The online electrical retailer ao.com said that weekly sales had soared 380 per cent compared with the first week of last month. Currys said that sales were up 94 per cent compared with the same weekend 12 months ago.
It has already been revealed that the list of 30 appliances, which is to be whittled down to 20, includes hairdryers, kettles and smartphones. It has now emerged that kitchen appliances, including juicers and rice cookers, are under threat, along with “leisure” items, including treadmills, patio heaters and swimming-pool heaters.
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Marlene Holzner, of the European Commission’s energy department, tried to placate consumers. She said that similar legislation was already applied to washing machines and televisions, and added that households “use a third of the energy they used before”.
She said: “Before we even think about regulating a product we want to have proof that there will be no negative effects for the consumer and that there will be a considerable energy saving.”
The EU energy commissioner, Günther Oettinger, said that stopping people from buying appliances with exceptionally high wattages was necessary to fight climate change.
“All EU countries agree that energy efficiency is the most effective method to reduce energy consumption and dependence on imports and to improve the climate,” he told the German newspaper Bild. “There needs to be mandatory consumption limits for small electrical appliances.”
Dyson is involved in a review of the restrictions at the European General Court. James Dyson said: “Efficient technology isn’t the result of an energy label; it’s the result of costly research and development. We spend £3 million every week on research and development.”