Noise in dB(A) with class A–D (appliances)

How loud the appliance is, as a sound power level in decibels, plus a class from A (quietest) to D. Each group measures a different moment: the spin for a washing machine, the eco cycle for a dishwasher or dryer.

What it looks like on the label: A loudspeaker with sound waves, a number followed by dB(A), and the letters ABCD with one highlighted.
Printed on: Washing machine; Dishwasher; Fridge or freezer; Tumble dryer
Unit: dB(A) re 1 pW, whole number; class A–D; dB(A), whole number; class A–D
Regulation: Regulation (EU) 2019/2014, Annex III; Regulation (EU) 2019/2017, Annex III; Regulation (EU) 2019/2016, Annex III; Regulation (EU) 2023/2534, Annex III

Where the regulations differ

The same loudspeaker idea appears on the tyre label, but it means something else there: a tyre’s figure is the pass-by noise measured beside a test track, graded A to C against the legal limit — see the tyre rolling-noise page. On appliances the figure is sound power in dB(A) re 1 pW and the A–D thresholds are set per group (below): a 44 dB(A) fridge is class D, a 44 dB(A) dishwasher is class B.

Label by label

On a washing machine label

What the number measures: Sound power during the spinning phase only — washing is quieter.
Unit: dB(A) re 1 pW, whole number; class A–D
Test condition: spinning phase of the eco 40-60 programme at rated capacity.
Classes: A: < 73 dB · B: 73–76 · C: 77–80 · D: ≥ 81

Regulation (EU) 2019/2014, Annex II, point C, Table 4; label point Annex III, part A, point 1.2 (XI): airborne acoustic noise emissions of the spinning phase, expressed in dB(A) re 1 pW and rounded to the nearest integer, and airborne acoustic noise emission class, determined in accordance with point C of Annex II; Checked 2026-09-25.

On a dishwasher label

What the number measures: Sound power over the eco programme.
Unit: dB(A) re 1 pW, whole number; class A–D
Test condition: eco programme.
Classes: A: < 39 dB · B: 39–44 · C: 45–50 · D: ≥ 51

Regulation (EU) 2019/2017, Annex II, point B, Table 2; label point Annex III, point 1 (X): airborne acoustic noise emissions expressed in dB(A) with respect to 1 pW and rounded to the nearest integer, and airborne acoustic noise emission class, determined in accordance with point B of Annex II; Checked 2026-09-25.

On a fridge or freezer label

What the number measures: Sound power of the running appliance.
Unit: dB(A) re 1 pW, whole number; class A–D
Test condition: the appliance running; test method in Annex IV.
Classes: A: < 30 dB · B: 30–35 · C: 36–41 · D: ≥ 42

Regulation (EU) 2019/2016, Annex II, Table 2; label points Annex III, point 1.2 (IX) and 2.2 (VIII): airborne acoustical noise emissions, expressed in dB(A) re 1 pW and rounded to the nearest integer. The airborne acoustical noise emission class, as set out in Table 2; Checked 2026-09-25.

On a tumble dryer label

What the number measures: Weighted average sound power (L_WA) during the drying cycle.
Unit: dB(A), whole number; class A–D
Test condition: eco programme at full load, drying cycle.
Classes: A: ≤ 60 dB · B: 61–64 · C: 65–68 · D: > 68

Regulation (EU) 2023/2534, Annex II, point 2, Table 2; label point Annex III, part A, point 1.1 (VIII): acoustic airborne noise emission class of the drying cycle of the eco programme, with relevant logo and value in dB(A), determined in accordance with Section 4 of Annex IV; Checked 2026-09-25.

Other icons on the washing machine label

QR code (top left of the label)On 8 product labels Energy efficiency class arrow (A to G)On 7 product labels kWh per 100 cyclesWashing machine, Dishwasher, Tumble dryer Rated capacity in kgWashing machine, Tumble dryer Water per cycle in litresWashing machine, Dishwasher Programme duration (h:min)Washing machine, Dishwasher, Tumble dryer Spin-drying efficiency classWashing machine Washer-dryer: two columns (wash and dry / wash only)Washing machine

Sources

Regulation (EU) 2019/2014 — Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2014 of 11 March 2019 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 with regard to energy labelling of household washing machines and household washer-dryers. Label content: Annex III. Article 11: “It shall apply from 1 March 2021.” Amended by Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/340 (label sizes, test notes and verification tolerances); the label points quoted here are unchanged by it. Checked 2026-09-25.
Regulation (EU) 2019/2017 — Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2017 of 11 March 2019 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 with regard to energy labelling of household dishwashers. Label content: Annex III. Article 11: “It shall apply from 1 March 2021.” Amended by Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/340 (label sizes, test notes and verification tolerances); the label points quoted here are unchanged by it. Checked 2026-09-25.
Regulation (EU) 2019/2016 — Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2016 of 11 March 2019 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 with regard to energy labelling of refrigerating appliances. Label content: Annex III. Article 11: “It shall apply from 1 March 2021.” Amended by Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/340 (label sizes, test notes and verification tolerances); the label points quoted here are unchanged by it. Checked 2026-09-25.
Regulation (EU) 2023/2534 — Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/2534 of 13 July 2023 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 with regard to energy labelling of household tumble dryers. Label content: Annex III. Article 10: “It shall apply from 1 July 2025.” Checked 2026-09-25.

Read in the Official Journal text on the date shown. Our drawing is not the official pictogram; the regulation’s own label figure is the authority.