EN 60456:2005

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-junij-2005
1DGRPHãþD
SIST EN 60456:2001
SIST EN 60456:2001/A11:2002
SIST EN 60456:2001/A12:2002
SIST EN 60456:2001/A13:2003
Gospodinjski pralni stroji - Metode za merjenje funkcionalnosti
Clothes washing machines for household use - Methods for measuring the performance
Waschmaschinen für den Hausgebrauch - Verfahren zur Messung der
Gebrauchseigenschaften
Machines à laver le linge pour usage domestique - Méthodes de mesure de l'aptitude à
la fonction
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN 60456:2005
ICS:
97.060 Aparati za nego perila Laundry appliances
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 60456
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM March 2005
ICS 97.060 Supersedes EN 60456:1999 + A11:2001 + A12:2001 + A13:2003
Incorporates corrigendum March 2008

English version
Clothes washing machines for household use -
Methods for measuring the performance
(IEC 60456:2003, modified)
Machines à laver le linge  Waschmaschinen für den Hausgebrauch -
pour usage domestique - Verfahren zur Messung
Méthodes de mesure de l'aptitude der Gebrauchseigenschaften
à la fonction (IEC 60456:2003, modifiziert)
(CEI 60456:2003, modifiée)
This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 2004-10-01. CENELEC members are bound
to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this
European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration.

Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on
application to the Central Secretariat or to any CENELEC member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other
language made by translation under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and
notified to the Central Secretariat has the same status as the official versions.

CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland and United Kingdom.

CENELEC
European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardization
Comité Européen de Normalisation Electrotechnique
Europäisches Komitee für Elektrotechnische Normung

Central Secretariat: rue de Stassart 35, B - 1050 Brussels

© 2005 CENELEC - All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CENELEC members.

Ref. No. EN 60456:2005 E
Foreword
The text of the International Standard IEC 60456:2003, prepared by SC 59D, Home laundry
appliances, of IEC TC 59, Performance of household electrical appliances, together with the
common modifications prepared by the Technical Committee CENELEC TC 59X, Consumer
information related to household electrical appliances, was submitted to the formal vote and
was approved by CENELEC as EN 60456 on 2004-10-01.
This European Standard supersedes EN 60456:1999 + A11:2001 + A12:2001 + A13:2003.
Many of the changes in the new IEC 60456:2003 had already been included in
EN 60456:1999/A12:2001 and A13:2003. Consequently, the only significant technical
difference with the previous edition of the European Standard is the allowance of three
alternative methods to condition the load.
It is not expected that this new version EN 60456 will influence energy label declaration in any
way.
In this European Standard the common modifications to the International Standard are
indicated by a vertical line in the left margin of the text.
The following dates were fixed:
– latest date by which the EN has to be implemented
at national level by publication of an identical
national standard or by endorsement (dop) 2005-10-01
– latest date by which the national standards conflicting
with the EN have to be withdrawn (dow) 2007-10-01
In this standard, the following print types are used:
– test specifications: in italic type;
– notes: in small roman type;
– other text: in roman type.
– words in bold in the text are defined in Clause 3.
Clauses, subclauses and notes that are additional to those in IEC 60456 are prefixed with the
letter Z.
The contents of the corrigendum of March 2008 have been included in this copy.
____________
– 3 – EN 60456:2005
Contents
1 Sc op e . . 6
2 Normative references . 6
3 Terms, definitions, symbols and dimensions . 7
3.1 Terms and definitions . 7
3.2 Symbols . 8
3.3 Dimensions . 10
4 Rated capacity . 10
5 General conditions for measurements. 11
5.1 General . 11
5.2 Resources and ambient conditions . 11
5.3 Reference washing machine . 12
6 Materials . 12
6.1 Base loads . 12
6.2 Usage . 13
6.3 Preparation of the base load . 14
6.4 Soiled test strips. 15
6.5 Detergents . 17
7 Instrumentation and accuracy . 17
7.1 Mass . 17
7.2 Ambient temperature . 17
7.3 Ambient humidity . 17
7.4 Water temperature . 17
7.5 Water volume . 17
7.6 Water pressure . 17
7.7 Water hardness . 17
7.8 Electrical energy . 17
7.9 T i m e . 17
7.10 pH . 17
7.11 Reflectance measurement for test samples . 18
8 Washing perf or m anc e . 18
8.1 General . 18
8.2 Material and equipment . 18
8.3 Procedure . 19
8.4 Evaluation . 20
9 Rinsing performance . 22
9.1 General . 22
9.2 Spin extractor . 23
9.3 Procedure . 23
9.4 Evaluation . 24
10 Spin extraction performance . 25
10.1 General . 25
10.2 Procedure . 25
10.3 Evaluation . 25

11 Water and energy consumption and programme time . 26
11.1 General . 26
11.2 Procedure . 26
11.3 Evaluation . 26
12 Shrinkage during the wool wash programme . 27
12.1 General . 27
12.2 Material and equipment . 27
12.3 Procedure . 28
12.4 Evaluation . 29
13 Data to be reported . 30
Z1 Determination of the maximum spin speed . 30
Z2 Determination of airborne acoustical noise . 30
Z3 Tolerances and control procedures . 31
Z3. 1 E ner g y co ns um pti o n . 31
Z3.2 Water consumtion . 31
Z3.3 Spin speed . 31
Z3.4 Spin extraction . 31
Z3.5 Washing performance. 32
Z3. 6 Pr ogr am m e dur at i o n . 32
Z3.7 Rinsing efficiency . 32
Annex A (normative) Description of the reference washing machine and method of use . 33
Annex B (normative) Specifications for base loads . 38
Annex C (normative) Handling of load and calculation of weighted average age
of the cotton base load . 41
Annex D (normative) The bone-dry method . 50
Annex E (normative) Specification of specimen with standardized soiling . 51
Annex F (normative) Reference detergents . 55
Annex G (informative) Procedure for the programming of the reference
washing machine . 57
Annex H (normative) Data to be reported . 83
Annex I (informative) Suppliers . 86
Annex J (informative) Example for the exchange of load items for a 5 kg cotton load
to achieve weighted average age of the load between 30 and 50 test cycles . 87
Bibliography . 89
Figure 1 – Attached test strip . 16
Figure 2 – Positions for measuring soiled test pieces . 20
Figure 3 – Wool shrinkage specimen . 28
Figure A.1 – Indication of the position for measuring the temperature . 37
Figure G.1 – Cotton 40 °C – Principle structure of the reference programme . 62
Figure G.2 – Cotton 60 °C – Principle structure of the reference programme . 66
Figure G.3 – Cotton 85 °C – Principle structure of the reference programme . 70
Figure G.4 – Easy-care textiles 40 °C – Principle structure of the reference programme . 74
Figure G.5 – Easy-care textiles 60 °C – Principle structure of the reference programme . 78
Figure G.6 – Wool 40 °C – Principle structure of the reference programme . 82

– 5 – EN 60456:2005
Table 1 – Number of items in the cotton test load for various rated capacities . 13
Table 2 – Number of soiled test strips referring to rated capacity . 16
Table A.1 – Specification of the reference washing machine . 33
Table A.2 – Wash programme for cotton . 34
Table A.3 – Wash programme for easy-care textiles . 35
Table A.4 – Wash programme for wool . 36
Table B.1 – Specification of the cotton base load textiles . 38
Table B.2 – Specification of the easy-care base load textiles . 40
Table C.1 – Order of placing load items into the machine . 41
Table E.1 – Ratios and tolerances for the different programmes of standardized soils . 53
Table F.1 – Composition of the reference detergent A* . 55
Table F.2 – Composition of reference detergent C . 56
Table G.1 – References to programming instructions . 57
Table G.2 – Cotton 40 °C – Programming instructions for FOM 71 MP/Lab . 59
Table G.3 – Cotton 40 °C – Programming instructions for FOM 71 MP . 60
Table G.4 – Cotton 60 °C – Programming instructions for FOM 71 MP/Lab . 63
Table G.5 – Cotton 60 °C – Programming instructions for FOM 71 MP . 64
Table G.6 – Cotton 85 °C – Programming instructions for FOM 71 MP/Lab . 67
Table G.7 – Cotton 85 °C – Programming instructions for FOM 71 MP . 68
Table G.8 – Easy-care textiles 40 °C – Programming instructions for FOM 71 MP/Lab . 71
Table G.9 – Easy-care textiles 40 °C – Programming instructions for FOM 71 MP . 72
Table G.10 – Easy-care textiles 60 °C – Programming instructions for FOM 71 MP/Lab . 75
Table G.11 – Easy-care textiles 60 °C – Programming instructions for FOM 71 MP . 76
Table G.12 – Wool 40 °C – Programming instructions for FOM 71 MP/Lab . 79
Table G.13 – Wool 40 °C – Programming instructions for FOM 71 MP . 80
Table H.1 – Data for machine under test (x=optional) . 83
Table H.2 – Cycle data, parameters and results . 84
Table H.3 – Basic parameters, equipment and materials . 85
Table H.4 – Weighted age . 85

1 Scope
This International Standard deals with methods for measuring the performance of clothes
washing machines for household use, with or without heating devices and for cold and/or hot
water supply. It also deals with appliances for water extraction by centrifugal force and is
applicable to appliances for both washing and drying textiles (called washer-dryers) with
respect to their washing performance.
The object is to state and define the principal performance characteristics of household
electric washing machines and spin extractors and to describe the standard methods for
measuring these characteristics.
This standard is concerned neither with safety nor with performance requirements.
NOTE 1 This standard applies also to washing machines for communal use in blocks of flats or in launderettes,
but washing machines for commercial laundries are not included.
NOTE 2 While this standard includes testing requirements for all types of washing machines, to date there has
been only limited testing and evaluation of other than horizontal drum washing machines to this standard.
This European Standard also specifies, as far as necessary, the test methods which shall be
applied in accordance with the Commission's Directive 95/12/EC of 23 May 1995
implementing Council Directive 92/75/EEC with regard to energy labelling of household
washing machines.
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.
EN 12127, Textiles – Fabrics – Determination of mass per unit area using small samples
EN 60704-2-4, Test code for the determination of airborne acoustical noise emitted by
household and similar electrical appliances – Part 2: Particular requirements for washing
machines and spin extractors (IEC 60704-2-4)
EN 60704-3, Test code for the determination of airborne acoustical noise emitted by
household and similar electrical appliances – Part 3: Procedure for determining and verifying
declared noise emission values (IEC 60740-3)
EN 60734, Household electrical appliances – Performance – Hard water for testing
(IEC 60734)
EN 62053-21, Electricity metering equipment (a.c.) – Particular requirements – Part 21: Static
meters for active energy (classes 1 and 2) (IEC 62053-21)
ISO 2060, Textiles – Yarn from packages – Determination of linear density (mass per unit
length) by the skein method (Endorsed as EN ISO 2060)
ISO 2061, Textiles – Determination of twist in yarns – Direct counting method (Endorsed as
EN ISO 2061)
ISO 3801, Textiles – Woven fabrics – Determination of mass per unit length
ISO 7211-2, Textiles – Woven fabrics – Construction – Methods of analysis – Part 2:
Determination of number of threads per unit length

– 7 – EN 60456:2005
3 Terms, definitions, symbols and dimensions
3.1 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following definitions apply.
3.1.1
washing machine
appliance for cleaning and rinsing of textiles using water which may also have a means of
extracting excess water from the textiles
3.1.2
agitator washing machine
washing machine in which the textiles are substantially immersed in the washing water,
the mechanical action being produced by a device moving about or along its vertical axis
with a reciprocating motion (an agitator). This device usually extends above the maximum
water level
3.1.3
horizontal drum washing machine
washing machine in which the textiles are placed in a horizontal or inclined drum and
partially immersed in the washing water, the mechanical action being produced by rotation of
the drum about its axis, the movement being either continuous or periodically reversed
3.1.4
impeller washing machine
washing machine in which the textiles are substantially immersed in the washing water, the
mechanical action being produced by a device rotating about its axis continuously or which
reverses after a number of revolutions (an impeller). The uppermost point of this device is
substantially below the minimum water level
3.1.5
nutator washing machine
washing machine in which the textiles are placed in a vertical axis basket and partially
immersed in the washing water, the mechanical action being produced by a nutation plate in
the bottom of the basket, the movement being either continuous or periodically with or without
reversion
3.1.6
washer-dryer
washing machine which includes both a water extraction (spin) function and also a means for
drying the textiles, usually by heating and tumbling
3.1.7
spin extractor
water-extracting appliance in which water is removed from textiles by centrifugal action
3.1.8
spin extraction
water-extracting function by which water is removed from textiles by centrifugal action. This is
usually included as a function of a washing machine but may also be performed in a spin
extractor
3.1.9
base load
textile load without soiled test strips

3.1.10
test load
base load plus soiled test strips or wool shrinkage specimens
3.1.11
programme
series of operations which are pre-defined within the washing machine and which are
declared as suitable for washing certain textile types
3.1.12
cycle
complete washing process, as defined by the programme selected, consisting of a series of
different operations (wash, rinse, spin, etc.)
3.1.13
rated capacity
maximum mass in kg of dry textiles of a particular defined type, declared by the manufacturer
that can be treated in a programme
3.2 Symbols
3.2.1 Symbols relating to Clause 8
C the sum of the average reflectance values (Y-values) in each test cycle
k
C the average sum of the reflectance values (Y-values) for each of the four types of
soilings, for all test cycles
C the sum of the reflectance value in each test cycle of the washing machine under test
k
test
C the average sum of the reflectance values of the washing machine under test
test
C the average sum of the reflectance values in each test cycle of the reference
ref
washing machine
m the number of soiling types per test cycle
n the number of soiled test strips per test cycle
p confidence interval for q
q ratio between the washing machine under test, C , and the reference washing
test
machine, C
ref
s standard deviation of the ratio q

q
s the standard deviation of C
C
k
s the standard deviation for each soiling within a given test cycle
i
t the “Student T” factor for (w-1) degrees of freedom for a confidence of 95 % (i.e.
w-1, 0,05
2,776 for five test cycles equals four degrees of freedom)
w the number of test cycles
x the average reflectance values for each soil type
i
x the average reflectance value of the individual readings for each soiled test piece
ij
3.2.2 Symbols relating to Clause 9
A the amount of wash alkali remaining in the textiles
m
A the increased concentration of alkalinity in extracted water
r
W the concentration of alkalinity in extracted water
r
– 9 – EN 60456:2005
W the concentration of alkalinity in tap water
t
A measured in the washing machine under test
m,test
A measured in the reference washing machine with the relevant programme as
m,ref
described in Annex A
M the mass of the conditioned base load (g)
M the mass of base load after spin extraction (g)
r
R rinsing index
R the mean of rinse indices for all cycles excluding the result of the first test cycle
R the rinsing index from one test cycle
k
s standard deviation between the test cycles
3.2.3 Symbols relating to Clause 10
RM remaining moisture
M the mass of the conditioned base load (g)
M the mass of base load after spin extraction (g)
r
3.2.4 Symbols relating to Clause 11
t the measured cold water inlet temperature (°C)
c
t the measured hot water inlet temperature (°C)
h
V the volume of the cold water used during an operation (l)
c
V the volume of external hot water used during operation (l)
h
W the cold water energy correction for the operation (kWh)
c
W the total cold water energy correction determined during the test (kWh)
ct
W the total electrical energy metered during the test (kWh)
et
W the calculated hot water energy for the operation (kWh)
h
W the calculated total hot water energy determined during the test (kWh)
ht
W total energy (kWh)
total
3.2.5 Symbols relating to Clause 12
LS the percentage of the length shrinkage (%)
SR the shrinkage rate
SR the shrinkage rate index
i
W the mean measurements (width or length), of the washed wool shrinkage
(k-1)
specimens of the previous wool programme test cycle
W the mean measurements (width or length) of the washed wool shrinkage
k
specimens, after each wool programme test cycle
WS the percentage of the width shrinkage (%)
y the arithmetic mean of the individual readings for each set of three measurements
the individual readings for each set of three measurements
y
i
3.2.6 Symbols relating to C.6
A
weighted average age of the load as number of test cycles
a age of item; (after conditioning)
i
n number of items; (of the same type and age)
i
w weight per piece given in Table B.1
i
3.3 Dimensions
Height a = vertical dimension measured from the lower edge (on the floor) to a
horizontal plane at the maximum height of the appliance, with the door/lid
closed. If adjustable levelling feet are provided, they shall be moved up and
down to determine minimum and maximum possible heights.
Height a = maximum vertical dimension measured from the lower edge (on the floor) to
a horizontal plane at the maximum height of the appliance with the door/lid
open. If adjustable leveling feet are provided, they shall be moved up and
down to determine minimum and maximum possible heights.
Width b = horizontal dimension, between the sides, as measured between two parallel
vertical planes against the sides of the appliance including all projections.
Depth c = horizontal dimension as measured from a vertical rear plane against the
appliance and the most prominent part of the front, knobs and handles not
being taken into account, with the door/lid closed.
Depth c = horizontal dimension as measured from a vertical rear plane against the
appliance and the most prominent part of the front, knobs and handles also
being taken into account, with the door/lid open.
Drum volume = the volume of a horizontal drum washing machine, nutator type washing
machine or spin extractor is determined as the inside volume, in litres, of
the drum or basket in which the textiles are placed, after the subtraction of
ribs or other inward protrusions, etc. The volume of an impeller or agitator
washing machine is the volume of the bowl, after the subtraction of ribs,
agitator and/or other inward protrusions, to the maximum water level of the
washing machine when filled without a load.
NOTE The method of measurement of the drum volume is under consideration.
4 Rated capacity
The rated capacity for measurements to determine values to be declared for the 60 °C cotton
cycle according to the Commission’s Directive on energy labelling is the value declared by
the manufacturer as highest amount of cotton textiles to be washed, given in the instruction
manual or on the energy label supplied with the machine, whatever is higher.
If the rated capacity is not declared, the rated capacity for a cotton load shall be deduced
from the volume of the drum according to the following ratios:
– horizontal drum washing machine 1 kg / 13 l;
– agitator washing machine 1 kg / 15 l;
– impeller washing machine 1 kg / 20 l;
– nutator washing machine 1 kg / 10 l;
– spin extractor 1 kg / 4,6 l.
If the rated capacity for easy care textiles and woollens is not specified by the manufacturer,
the load shall be respectively 40 % and 20 % of that for cotton.

– 11 – EN 60456:2005
When the manufacturer gives a range of values for the rated capacity for a particular textile
type, the highest value shall be used.
NOTE For different textile types the rated capacity of an appliance is usually different.
5 General conditions for measurements
5.1 General
The measurements shall generally be carried out on a new machine installed and used in
accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, except as required by this standard. If there
is more than one option for installation, the one chosen for testing shall be reported. Before
commencing measurements the machine shall be run for two complete test cycles at
maximum temperature, the first without load and with 50 g of the reference detergent and the
second without load and without detergent.
Washing performance, spin extraction, time and water and energy consumption shall be
tested in the same cycle.
For the purpose of energy labelling according to the Commission Directive mentioned in
Clause 1, the 60 °C cotton programme shall be used without pre-wash in accordance with the
manufacturers instruction.
5.2 Resources and ambient conditions
5.2.1 Electricity supply
The supply voltage shall be maintained at 230 V ± 1%.
The supply frequency shall be 50 Hz ± 1%.
NOTE Voltage stabilisers should be designed such that the normal operation of the washing machine does not
cause undue distortion of the voltage waveform.
5.2.2 Water supply
For all processes on the test load a water hardness of (2,5 ± 0,2) mmol/l shall be used for all
programmes. If water hardness needs to be adjusted, it shall be prepared according to
IEC 60734.
When carrying out measurements to determine values to be declared for the 60 °C cotton
cycle according to the Commission Directive on energy labelling the temperature of the water
supply shall be (15 + 2) °C.
The temperature of the water supply shall be:
– for cold water (15 ± 2) °C;
– for hot water temperature indicated by the manufacturer ± 2 °C, or (60 ± 2) °C, if no
value is given.
When the manufacturer specifies a hot water temperature range, which includes (60 ± 2) °C,
the hot water temperature shall be set at (60 ± 2) °C. When the manufacturer specifies a hot
water temperature range, which does not include (60 ± 2) °C, the hot water temperature shall
be set at the end of the temperature range which is closest to (60 ± 2) °C. When the
manufacturer specifies a single temperature with a tolerance, then that temperature shall
be used.
The static (gauge) pressure of the water supply at each water inlet shall be maintained at
(240 ± 50) kPa throughout the test, including filling.
The measured water temperature and pressure shall be reported.
For appliances without heating elements the use of hot water is permitted.
5.2.3 Ambient temperature
The ambient temperature of the room shall be maintained at (23 ± 2) °C throughout the test.
The measured ambient temperature shall be reported.
5.3 Reference washing machine
A reference washing machine shall run in parallel with the washing machine being tested,
applying the same procedure to both machines to provide a measure of relative performance
and reproducible results. Specifications for the reference washing machine are given in
Annex A.
NOTE The ratios and tolerances of optical reflectance between the different programmes given in E.4.3 may be
used as general qualification criteria for the test system.
At each run it shall be checked that no detergent remains in the detergent dispenser.
6 Materials
6.1 Base loads
6.1.1 Cotton base load
The cotton base load shall consist of sheets, pillowcases and hand-towels as specified in
Annex B.
The test load consists of the base load and the soiled test strips as specified in 6.4. The test
load is adjusted so that it corresponds to the rated capacity for the specified programme of
the test machine. The number of sheets, pillowcases and hand-towels in the cotton base load
for various rated capacities is given in Table 1. Final adjustment of the test load including
the soiled test strips is made by adding the required number of hand towels so that the total
mass is as close as possible to the rated capacity, using the weight as measured during the
last conditioning of the textiles at the commencement of the present series of test cycles.

– 13 – EN 60456:2005
Table 1 – Number of items in the cotton test load for various rated capacities
Rated capacity Number of
a
Number of sheets Number of hand-towels
a
kg pillowcases
2 1 2
2,5 1 3
3 1 4
3,5 2 3
4 2 4
4,5 2 6
5 2 6
5,5 2 8
Number required
to make the test load after the addition of the
6 2 8
soiled test strips of 6.4 as close as possible
(± 60 g) to the rated capacity.
6,5 2 10
7 2 12
7,5 3 12
8 3 14
8,5 3 16
9 3 18
9,5 3 20
10 3 22
a
For rated capacities other than those specified in Table 1, the number of sheets and pillowcases in the test
shall be equal to that specified for the next lower capacity, with the balance of the rated capacity made up
load
with hand-towels.
6.1.2 Easy-care textile base load
The easy-care textile base load shall consist of men’s shirts and pillowcases as defined in
Annex B.
The easy-care textile base load consists of an equal number of shirts and pillowcases. Final
adjustment of the test load is made after adding the soiled test strips in 6.4, by adding or
subtracting one shirt or one pillowcase whichever adjusts the test load to be closest to the
rated capacity.
If the manufacturer declares the easy-care textile load as a “number of shirts”, the rated
capacity (kg) shall be the number of shirts multiplied by 0,2.
6.1.3 Polyester textile base load for wool programme
The base load shall consist of double knitted polyester textile test pieces as defined in
Annex B.
The test load consists of the base load and three wool shrinkage specimens as defined
in 12.2. The test load should be adjusted by adding or subtracting the number of base load
items to be closest to the rated capacity.
6.2 Usage
An item shall not be used for more than 80 test cycles, not counting pre-treatment and the
normalization cycles between two test series.

To minimise the influence of ageing of the textiles, the cotton base load shall consist of items
that are well distributed in age for all different types of items to give a weighted average age
of the load between 30 and 50 test cycles, using the nominal weight given in Annex B.
An example of how this can be achieved is given in Annex J and how average age of the load
can be calculated is given in C.6. The average age shall be reported.
To minimise the influence of ageing of the textiles, half of the easy care base load should
consist of items used up to 40 times and the other half more than 40 times. Additionally the
easy-care base load shall consist of items, both shirts and pillowcases, that are well
distributed in age to give a weighted average age of the load between 20 and 60 test cycles.
6.3 Preparation of the base load
6.3.1 Pre-treatment
New textile items shall be treated before their first use by undergoing the normalization wash
process five times, as defined in 6.3.2 but without intermediate drying and using 15 g/kg of
the reference detergent A*. This is followed by normalization according to 6.3.2 and by
conditioning according to 6.3.3.
The polyester textile base load does not have to be pre-treated.
6.3.2 Normalization
After each test run of five cycles the base load shall be normalized. Normalization of the
loads is followed by conditioning according to 6.3.3.
For normalization, wash the base load in a reference washing machine (without detergent).
For cotton textiles, use the 60 °C cotton reference programme without pre-wash but including
rinsing and spinning and then dry to a final moisture content of approximately 0 % in a tumble
dryer.
For easy-care textiles, use the 60 °C easy-care textile reference programme without pre-
wash but including rinsing and spinning and then dry to a final moisture content of about 2 %
in a tumble dryer.
The polyester textile base load does not have to be normalized.
6.3.3 Conditioning
All textiles have to be dried to below 0 % moisture content and then stretched or flattened
by hand before conditioning.
The textiles shall be hung singly and separately so that air can freely circulate. The load is left
in an ambient temperature of (20 ± 2) °C and relative humidity (65 ± 5) % for a period of not
less than 15 h.
Alternatively the textiles are left in an ambient temperature of (20 ± 2) °C and relative
humidity (65 ± 5) % until the weight of the load has changed by less than 0,5 % for two
successive measurements. These measurements are carried out at intervals of 2 h or more.
As an alternative the bone-dry method of Annex D may be used.
The method used shall be reported.

– 15 – EN 60456:2005
6.4 Soiled test strips
6.4.1 Characteristics
Different types of soiling are used to enable the following characteristics to be measured:
– the scouring effect, chiefly due to mechanical and thermal action, the test piece used
being soiled with a mixture of carbon black and mineral oil;
– the removal of protein pigments, the test piece used being soiled with blood;
– the removal of organic pigments, the test piece used being soiled with chocolate and milk;
– the bleaching effect, the test piece used being soiled with red wine.
The definitions of test pieces with standardized soiling are given in Annex E.
6.4.2 Preparation and fixing of soiled test strips
Soiled test strips consist of square pieces measuring (150 ± 5) mm × (150 ± 5) mm, carrying
different types of standard artificial soil and joined together into a strip with the different kinds
of soil in the following order:
– unsoiled piece;
– carbon black/mineral oil;
– blood;
– chocolate and milk;
– red wine.
Orientations in the following text refer to a plan view of the towel and soil strip in Figure 1.
Towels to which soiled test strips are attached for a washing performance test shall be
flattened by hand prior to attachment. Attach the soil strips to the towels as follows.
• The front side of the soil strip (i.e. the side marked with the serial number) shall be placed
face down, with the unsoiled swatch placed at the “12 o’clock” position.
• The towel is then placed centrally to the left of the soil strip such that the left edge of the
soil strip overlaps (underneath) the towel. This overlap shall be (10 ± 5) mm.
• The soil strip is fastened to the towel in this position by sewing or using non-metallic
fasteners.
Unsoiled piece
(manufacturer’s
marking underneath)
Soiled pieces
Overlapping
10 mm ± 5 mm
Hand-towel or pillowcase
• The towels for fixing the strips have to be flattened.
• The strip lies upon the towel.
• The side of the strip with the supplier and serial number (e.g. EMPA xxx) is on the underside.
• The unsoiled part of the strip has to be sewn on the right top of the long side of the towel.
• The strip has to be sewn on the towel as shown in the figure above. The seam distance to the strip and towel
edges shall be less than 10 mm.
Figure 1 – Attached test strip
The number of soiled test strips used for a washing test is proportional to the rated capacity,
and is determined in Table 2:
Table 2 – Number of soiled test strips referring to rated capacity
Rated capacity in kg Number of soiled test strips
Rated capacity < 2,5 2
2,5 ≤ rated capacity < 3,5 3
3,5 ≤ rated capacity < 4,5 4
4,5 ≤ rated capacity < 5,5 5
5,5 ≤ rated capacity < 6,5 6
6,5 ≤ rated capacity < 7,5 7
7,5 ≤ rated capacity < 8,5 8
8,5 ≤ rated capacity < 9,5 9
and so on
– 17 – EN 60456:2005
6.5 Detergents
The specification and dosage for the IEC 60456 reference detergents A* and C are given in
Annex F.
When carrying out measurements to determine the performance of washing machines
according to the Commission's Directive on Energy Labelling only detergent A* shall be used.
NOTE The IEC 60456 reference detergent A is no longer available.
7 Instrumentation and accuracy
Instruments having the following accuracy shall be used for tests.
7.1 Mass
Mass shall be accurate to ± 0,1 %.
7.2 Ambient temperature
Ambient temperature shall be accurate to ± 1,0 K including non-linearity error in the
temperature range 10 °C to 50 °C.
7.3 Ambient humidity
Ambient humidity shall be accurate to ± 3 % over the temperature range 15 °C to 25 °C.
7.4 Water temperature
Water temperature shall have a resolution of at least 0,2 K and an accuracy of ± 0,5 K
including non-linearity error, at the nominal temperature measured.
7.5 Water volume
Water volume shall be accurate to ± 1 %.
NOTE Devices using viscosity should be calibrated at the actual nominal temperature ± 5 K, and the nominal
flow rate.
7.6 Water pressure
Water pressure shall be accurate to ± 5 %
7.7 Water hardness
Water hardness shall be accurate to ± 0,2 mmol/l.
7.8 Electrical
...