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Dyson loses EU energy labels claim | Dyson loses EU energy labels claim |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Vacuum cleaner manufacturer Dyson has lost its bid to change European energy labelling laws. | Vacuum cleaner manufacturer Dyson has lost its bid to change European energy labelling laws. |
The company's founder, Sir James Dyson, argued vacuum cleaners were only tested when they were empty of dust. | The company's founder, Sir James Dyson, argued vacuum cleaners were only tested when they were empty of dust. |
He claimed that meant the tests misled "consumers on the real environmental impact of the machine they are buying". | He claimed that meant the tests misled "consumers on the real environmental impact of the machine they are buying". |
In separate legal actions, the UK firm has claimed some rival vacuum cleaners are achieving misleadingly good ratings in tests. | |
The EU's General Court dismissed Dyson's action "in its entirety" because the company - best known for its bagless vacuum cleaner - had failed to show there were more reliable and accurate tests. | |
It said: "Dyson states that the regulation misleads consumers because the cleaning performance is tested only when the vacuum cleaner's receptacle is empty and not during use. | It said: "Dyson states that the regulation misleads consumers because the cleaning performance is tested only when the vacuum cleaner's receptacle is empty and not during use. |
"The court acknowledges that the suction performance and energy efficiency of a vacuum cleaner with a dust-loaded receptacle will be reduced due to dust accumulation. | "The court acknowledges that the suction performance and energy efficiency of a vacuum cleaner with a dust-loaded receptacle will be reduced due to dust accumulation. |
"It observes, however, that the [European] Commission could not use tests conducted on the basis of a dust-loaded receptacle, as they are not reliable, accurate and reproducible, as required by the regulation." | "It observes, however, that the [European] Commission could not use tests conducted on the basis of a dust-loaded receptacle, as they are not reliable, accurate and reproducible, as required by the regulation." |
The court also dismissed Dyson's claim that current EU energy labelling laws "discriminates" in favour of bagged vacuum cleaners. | The court also dismissed Dyson's claim that current EU energy labelling laws "discriminates" in favour of bagged vacuum cleaners. |
Results disputed | Results disputed |
The ruling is a setback for Dyson, which last month began legal action against rivals Bosch and Siemens, alleging that they were misleading consumers in behaviour "akin to the Volkswagen scandal". | The ruling is a setback for Dyson, which last month began legal action against rivals Bosch and Siemens, alleging that they were misleading consumers in behaviour "akin to the Volkswagen scandal". |
It claimed that independent testing had shown that machines made by Bosch and Siemens could draw more than 1600W of power when used in the home while containing dust, despite having a rating of 750W gained in dust-free testing. | It claimed that independent testing had shown that machines made by Bosch and Siemens could draw more than 1600W of power when used in the home while containing dust, despite having a rating of 750W gained in dust-free testing. |
That would mean that a rating as high as AAAA in test conditions could drop to an E or F in the home. | That would mean that a rating as high as AAAA in test conditions could drop to an E or F in the home. |
Last month, BSH Home Appliances, the parent company of Bosch and Siemens, said it planned to sue Dyson over the "unfounded and untrue" statements. | Last month, BSH Home Appliances, the parent company of Bosch and Siemens, said it planned to sue Dyson over the "unfounded and untrue" statements. |
BSH chief executive Karsten Ottenberg said: "We have long since been aware that James Dyson has a history of taking a very aggressive approach against his competitors and has a desire to be in the public eye." | BSH chief executive Karsten Ottenberg said: "We have long since been aware that James Dyson has a history of taking a very aggressive approach against his competitors and has a desire to be in the public eye." |
The company said all its vacuum cleaners were tested in accordance with the EU Energy Label and Ecodesign Directive for vacuum cleaners and met the standards in full. | The company said all its vacuum cleaners were tested in accordance with the EU Energy Label and Ecodesign Directive for vacuum cleaners and met the standards in full. |