GB 12021.4-2026 Maximum allowable values of the energy consumption, water consumption and grades for electric washing machines and washer-dryers (English)
GB 12021.4-2026 Maximum allowable values of the energy consumption, water consumption and grades for electric washing machines and washer-dryers
1 Scope
This document specifies the energy efficiency and water efficiency grades, technical requirements, and test methods for household and similar electric washing machines (hereinafter referred to as "washing machines").
This document is applicable to electric washing machines and washer-dryers with a single drum/barrel rated washing capacity of no more than 25.0kg and a single-phase rated voltage of no more than 250V, which are used by non-professionals in households, stores, schools and other places. For the pulsator washer-dryer and the tumble washer-dryer with a single drum rated drying capacity of no more than 1.0kg, only their washing function shall be evaluated.
This document is not applicable to washing machines without spinning functions, washing machines and washer-dryers without cotton textile washing program or function, and special-purpose washing machines, washer-dryers, and dry cleaning machines used by professionals.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
GB/T 411 Printed and dyed cotton fabric
GB/T 4288 Household and similar electrical washing machine
GB/T 23118 Household and similar tumble dryer and washer-dryer
GB/T 23119 Household and similar electrical appliances - Water for performance testing
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in GB/T 4288 and GB/T 23118 and the following apply.
3.1
electric washing machine
appliance driven by electric energy, which is used to wash clothes under the mechanical action
Note: Electric washing machines are divided into the following types by the washing mode:
——impeller washing machine: washing machine in which the laundry is totally or partially immersed in the washing water, and washed by the continuous rotation or regular forward and backward rotation of the impeller, including automatic impeller washing machines and double-drum washing machines;
——drum washing machine: washing machine in which the laundry is placed in the drum, partially immersed in water, and washed by the continuous rotation of the drum or regular forward and backward rotation;
——agitator washing machine: washing machine in which the laundry is totally or partially immersed in the washing water and washed by the reciprocating motion of the stirring blades.
[Source: GB/T 4288-2025, 3.1, modified]
3.2
mini washing machine
electric washing machines with a single drum/barrel rated washing capacity of no more than 2.0kg
3.3
washer-dryer
appliances with the functions of washing, spinning and drying textiles, and the washing, spinning and drying functions are all achieved in a drum/barrel
3.4
standard washing program
complete washing program that can wash ordinary dirty cotton clothes within the same cycle, including washing, rinsing, spinning, etc.
Note: This program is one of the preset programs, clearly stated by the manufacturer in the instructions for use. It adopts the same selection method as other preset programs, allowing users to clearly identify it. This program is displayed on the machine's operation panel, unless the program selection of the product is achieved only through network connection.
3.5
standard wash-dry combined program
complete program in which the washer-dryer can wash and dry ordinary dirty cotton clothes, including washing, rinsing, spinning, drying, etc.
Note 1: This program is one of the preset programs, clearly stated by the manufacturer in the instructions for use. It adopts the same selection method as other preset programs, allowing users to clearly identify it. This program is displayed on the machine's operation panel, unless the program selection of the product is achieved only through network connection.
Note 2: The standard wash-dry combined program is a continuous program of washing and drying without interruption and without the need for additional operations by the operator. If the washer-dryer does not provide the continuous program of washing and drying, the standard washing program and drying program shall be combined, that is, the drying program shall be started within 2 min after the washing cycle ends, and there shall be no other manual operations except for the selection of the drying program, such as opening the door and shaking the load, etc.
3.6
rated capacity
maximum mass of standard cotton textile in dry state that can be processed at one time as declared by the manufacturer, in kilograms (kg)
Note 1: The rated capacity declared by the manufacturer shall be classified into rated washing capacity, rated drying capacity, etc. according to the product functions.
Note 2: When the rated capacity is greater than or equal to 1kg, the interval shall be 0.5kg; when the rated capacity is less than 1kg, the interval shall be 0.1kg.
Note 3: For multi-drum/barrel products, it may be the sum of the capacities of each washing drum/barrel.
3.7
full load
test load used for the machine under test within a standard washing program or standard wash-dry combined program, with the target mass being the rated washing capacity or rated drying capacity of the machine under test
3.8
half load
test load used for the machine under test within a standard washing program, with the target mass being 50% of the rated washing capacity of the machine under test
3.9
energy consumption
weighted average of the energy consumption to complete the standard washing program at full load and half load respectively under the specified operating conditions, or the energy consumption to complete the standard wash-dry combined program at full load (including the corrected energy due to the deviation of the final moisture content) in kilowatt hour (kWh)
3.10
water consumption
weighted average of the water consumption to complete the standard washing program at full load and half load respectively under the specified operating conditions, or the water consumption to complete the standard wash-dry combined program at full load, in liters (L)
3.11
program duration
weighted average of the running time to complete the standard washing program at full load and half load respectively under the specified operating conditions, or the running time to complete the standard wash-dry combined program at full load, in minutes (min)
Note: Program running time refers to the duration consumed from program startup (excluding any additional delays set by the user) to program termination (when the power consumption of the appliance drops to a stable state, no functions are performed, and the user can take out the load).
3.12
energy consumption per kilogram
weighted average of the energy consumption per unit capacity to complete a standard washing program at full load and half load respectively under the specified operating conditions, or the energy consumption per unit capacity to complete the standard wash-dry combined program at full load, in kilowatt hours per kilogram (kWh/kg)
3.13
water consumption per kilogram
weighted average of the water consumption per unit capacity to complete a standard washing program at full load and half load respectively under the specified operating conditions, or the water consumption per unit capacity to complete the standard wash-dry combined program at full load, in liters per kilogram (L/kg)
4 Grades of energy efficiency and water efficiency
4.1 General
4.1.1 The energy efficiency and water efficiency grades of washing machines and washer-dryers shall be divided into five grades, among which Grade 1 is the highest.
4.1.2 For multi-drum/barrel products, the energy efficiency and water efficiency grade requirements for washing machines and washer-dryers shall be respectively implemented based on the washing mode, running mode and the functions that each drum/barrel can achieve.
4.2 Grades of energy efficiency and water efficiency of washing machines
4.2.1 The measured energy consumption per kilogram and water consumption per kilogram of mini washing machines of each grade shall meet those specified in Table 1.
Table 1 Grades of energy efficiency and water efficiency of mini washing machines
Contents
Foreword i
1 Scope
2 Normative references
3 Terms and definitions
4 Grades of energy efficiency and water efficiency
4.1 General
4.2 Grades of energy efficiency and water efficiency of washing machines
4.3 Grades of energy efficiency and water efficiency of washer-dryers
5 Technical requirements
5.1 Minimum allowable values of energy efficiency and water efficiency
5.2 Basic performance indexes of washing machines
5.3 Basic performance indexes of washer-dryers
5.4 Basic performance indexes of multi-drum/barrel products
5.5 Allowed deviation between energy label and test data
6 Test methods
6.1 Test conditions and test instruments
6.2 Test methods for washing machines
6.3 Test methods for washer-dryers
6.4 Test methods for multi-drum/barrel products
7 Implementation of this standard
Annex A (Normative) Requirements for test instruments
A.1 General
A.2 Measurement of ambient temperature and humidity
A.3 Measurement of voltage and frequency
A.4 Test water system
A.5 Energy consumption measurement
A.6 Water consumption measurement
A.7 Program duration measurement
A.8 Weight measurement
A.9 Washing ability
A.10 Rinsing performance
Annex B (Normative) Test methods for energy efficiency and water efficiency of washing machines
B.1 General requirements
B.2 Test load
B.3 Standard detergent
B.4 Reference washing machine
B.5 Washing ability test
B.6 Rinsing performance test
B.7 Spinning performance test
B.8 Energy consumption test
B.9 Water consumption test
B.10 Program duration test
B.11 Test validity
B.12 Calculation of test index
Annex C (Normative) Energy efficiency and water efficiency test of washer-dryers
C.1 General requirements
C.2 Test load
C.3 Standard detergent
C.4 Washing ability test
C.5 Rinsing performance test
C.6 Energy consumption test
C.7 Water consumption test
C.8 Program duration test
C.9 Final moisture content test
C.10 Test validity
C.11 Calculation of test index
Annex D (Normative) Energy efficiency and water efficiency test of multi-drum/barrel products
D.1 Multi-drum/barrel washing machine
D.2 Multi-drum/barrel washer-dryer
Annex E (Normative) Carbon black standard contaminated cloth
E.1 Fabric specification
E.2 Pretreatment
E.3 Preparation of contaminated solution
E.4 Preparation of standard contaminated cloth
E.5 Inspection of standard contaminated cloth
E.6 Preservation of standard contaminated cloth
E.7 Precautions for preparation of standard contaminated cloth
Annex F (Normative) Cotton standard washing textiles and standard rinsed sample block
F.1 Cotton standard washing textiles
F.2 Standard rinsed sample blocks
Bibliography
Standard
GB 12021.4-2026 Maximum allowable values of the energy consumption, water consumption and grades for electric washing machines and washer-dryers (English Version)
Standard No.
GB 12021.4-2026
Status
to be valid
Language
English
File Format
PDF
Word Count
21000 words
Price(USD)
630.0
Implemented on
2027-4-1
Delivery
via email in 1 business day
Detail of GB 12021.4-2026
Standard No.
GB 12021.4-2026
English Name
Maximum allowable values of the energy consumption, water consumption and grades for electric washing machines and washer-dryers
GB 12021.4-2026 Maximum allowable values of the energy consumption, water consumption and grades for electric washing machines and washer-dryers
1 Scope
This document specifies the energy efficiency and water efficiency grades, technical requirements, and test methods for household and similar electric washing machines (hereinafter referred to as "washing machines").
This document is applicable to electric washing machines and washer-dryers with a single drum/barrel rated washing capacity of no more than 25.0kg and a single-phase rated voltage of no more than 250V, which are used by non-professionals in households, stores, schools and other places. For the pulsator washer-dryer and the tumble washer-dryer with a single drum rated drying capacity of no more than 1.0kg, only their washing function shall be evaluated.
This document is not applicable to washing machines without spinning functions, washing machines and washer-dryers without cotton textile washing program or function, and special-purpose washing machines, washer-dryers, and dry cleaning machines used by professionals.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
GB/T 411 Printed and dyed cotton fabric
GB/T 4288 Household and similar electrical washing machine
GB/T 23118 Household and similar tumble dryer and washer-dryer
GB/T 23119 Household and similar electrical appliances - Water for performance testing
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the terms and definitions given in GB/T 4288 and GB/T 23118 and the following apply.
3.1
electric washing machine
appliance driven by electric energy, which is used to wash clothes under the mechanical action
Note: Electric washing machines are divided into the following types by the washing mode:
——impeller washing machine: washing machine in which the laundry is totally or partially immersed in the washing water, and washed by the continuous rotation or regular forward and backward rotation of the impeller, including automatic impeller washing machines and double-drum washing machines;
——drum washing machine: washing machine in which the laundry is placed in the drum, partially immersed in water, and washed by the continuous rotation of the drum or regular forward and backward rotation;
——agitator washing machine: washing machine in which the laundry is totally or partially immersed in the washing water and washed by the reciprocating motion of the stirring blades.
[Source: GB/T 4288-2025, 3.1, modified]
3.2
mini washing machine
electric washing machines with a single drum/barrel rated washing capacity of no more than 2.0kg
3.3
washer-dryer
appliances with the functions of washing, spinning and drying textiles, and the washing, spinning and drying functions are all achieved in a drum/barrel
3.4
standard washing program
complete washing program that can wash ordinary dirty cotton clothes within the same cycle, including washing, rinsing, spinning, etc.
Note: This program is one of the preset programs, clearly stated by the manufacturer in the instructions for use. It adopts the same selection method as other preset programs, allowing users to clearly identify it. This program is displayed on the machine's operation panel, unless the program selection of the product is achieved only through network connection.
3.5
standard wash-dry combined program
complete program in which the washer-dryer can wash and dry ordinary dirty cotton clothes, including washing, rinsing, spinning, drying, etc.
Note 1: This program is one of the preset programs, clearly stated by the manufacturer in the instructions for use. It adopts the same selection method as other preset programs, allowing users to clearly identify it. This program is displayed on the machine's operation panel, unless the program selection of the product is achieved only through network connection.
Note 2: The standard wash-dry combined program is a continuous program of washing and drying without interruption and without the need for additional operations by the operator. If the washer-dryer does not provide the continuous program of washing and drying, the standard washing program and drying program shall be combined, that is, the drying program shall be started within 2 min after the washing cycle ends, and there shall be no other manual operations except for the selection of the drying program, such as opening the door and shaking the load, etc.
3.6
rated capacity
maximum mass of standard cotton textile in dry state that can be processed at one time as declared by the manufacturer, in kilograms (kg)
Note 1: The rated capacity declared by the manufacturer shall be classified into rated washing capacity, rated drying capacity, etc. according to the product functions.
Note 2: When the rated capacity is greater than or equal to 1kg, the interval shall be 0.5kg; when the rated capacity is less than 1kg, the interval shall be 0.1kg.
Note 3: For multi-drum/barrel products, it may be the sum of the capacities of each washing drum/barrel.
3.7
full load
test load used for the machine under test within a standard washing program or standard wash-dry combined program, with the target mass being the rated washing capacity or rated drying capacity of the machine under test
3.8
half load
test load used for the machine under test within a standard washing program, with the target mass being 50% of the rated washing capacity of the machine under test
3.9
energy consumption
weighted average of the energy consumption to complete the standard washing program at full load and half load respectively under the specified operating conditions, or the energy consumption to complete the standard wash-dry combined program at full load (including the corrected energy due to the deviation of the final moisture content) in kilowatt hour (kWh)
3.10
water consumption
weighted average of the water consumption to complete the standard washing program at full load and half load respectively under the specified operating conditions, or the water consumption to complete the standard wash-dry combined program at full load, in liters (L)
3.11
program duration
weighted average of the running time to complete the standard washing program at full load and half load respectively under the specified operating conditions, or the running time to complete the standard wash-dry combined program at full load, in minutes (min)
Note: Program running time refers to the duration consumed from program startup (excluding any additional delays set by the user) to program termination (when the power consumption of the appliance drops to a stable state, no functions are performed, and the user can take out the load).
3.12
energy consumption per kilogram
weighted average of the energy consumption per unit capacity to complete a standard washing program at full load and half load respectively under the specified operating conditions, or the energy consumption per unit capacity to complete the standard wash-dry combined program at full load, in kilowatt hours per kilogram (kWh/kg)
3.13
water consumption per kilogram
weighted average of the water consumption per unit capacity to complete a standard washing program at full load and half load respectively under the specified operating conditions, or the water consumption per unit capacity to complete the standard wash-dry combined program at full load, in liters per kilogram (L/kg)
4 Grades of energy efficiency and water efficiency
4.1 General
4.1.1 The energy efficiency and water efficiency grades of washing machines and washer-dryers shall be divided into five grades, among which Grade 1 is the highest.
4.1.2 For multi-drum/barrel products, the energy efficiency and water efficiency grade requirements for washing machines and washer-dryers shall be respectively implemented based on the washing mode, running mode and the functions that each drum/barrel can achieve.
4.2 Grades of energy efficiency and water efficiency of washing machines
4.2.1 The measured energy consumption per kilogram and water consumption per kilogram of mini washing machines of each grade shall meet those specified in Table 1.
Table 1 Grades of energy efficiency and water efficiency of mini washing machines
Contents of GB 12021.4-2026
Contents
Foreword i
1 Scope
2 Normative references
3 Terms and definitions
4 Grades of energy efficiency and water efficiency
4.1 General
4.2 Grades of energy efficiency and water efficiency of washing machines
4.3 Grades of energy efficiency and water efficiency of washer-dryers
5 Technical requirements
5.1 Minimum allowable values of energy efficiency and water efficiency
5.2 Basic performance indexes of washing machines
5.3 Basic performance indexes of washer-dryers
5.4 Basic performance indexes of multi-drum/barrel products
5.5 Allowed deviation between energy label and test data
6 Test methods
6.1 Test conditions and test instruments
6.2 Test methods for washing machines
6.3 Test methods for washer-dryers
6.4 Test methods for multi-drum/barrel products
7 Implementation of this standard
Annex A (Normative) Requirements for test instruments
A.1 General
A.2 Measurement of ambient temperature and humidity
A.3 Measurement of voltage and frequency
A.4 Test water system
A.5 Energy consumption measurement
A.6 Water consumption measurement
A.7 Program duration measurement
A.8 Weight measurement
A.9 Washing ability
A.10 Rinsing performance
Annex B (Normative) Test methods for energy efficiency and water efficiency of washing machines
B.1 General requirements
B.2 Test load
B.3 Standard detergent
B.4 Reference washing machine
B.5 Washing ability test
B.6 Rinsing performance test
B.7 Spinning performance test
B.8 Energy consumption test
B.9 Water consumption test
B.10 Program duration test
B.11 Test validity
B.12 Calculation of test index
Annex C (Normative) Energy efficiency and water efficiency test of washer-dryers
C.1 General requirements
C.2 Test load
C.3 Standard detergent
C.4 Washing ability test
C.5 Rinsing performance test
C.6 Energy consumption test
C.7 Water consumption test
C.8 Program duration test
C.9 Final moisture content test
C.10 Test validity
C.11 Calculation of test index
Annex D (Normative) Energy efficiency and water efficiency test of multi-drum/barrel products
D.1 Multi-drum/barrel washing machine
D.2 Multi-drum/barrel washer-dryer
Annex E (Normative) Carbon black standard contaminated cloth
E.1 Fabric specification
E.2 Pretreatment
E.3 Preparation of contaminated solution
E.4 Preparation of standard contaminated cloth
E.5 Inspection of standard contaminated cloth
E.6 Preservation of standard contaminated cloth
E.7 Precautions for preparation of standard contaminated cloth
Annex F (Normative) Cotton standard washing textiles and standard rinsed sample block
F.1 Cotton standard washing textiles
F.2 Standard rinsed sample blocks
Bibliography
