Rated capacity in kg

The largest load of dry laundry, in kilograms, that the machine is rated for on the programme the label is about. Everything else on the label is measured at this load (and at fractions of it).

What it looks like on the label: A weight (a block with a handle) beside a number followed by ‘kg’.
Printed on: Washing machine; Tumble dryer
Unit: kg of dry laundry, in 0.5 kg steps
Regulation: Regulation (EU) 2019/2014, Annex III; Regulation (EU) 2023/2534, Annex III

Where the regulations differ

On a washing machine it is the rated capacity of the eco 40-60 programme; on a tumble dryer it is the eco programme at full load. A washer-dryer prints two capacities, one for the full wash-and-dry cycle and one for washing only — usually the drying figure is smaller. Dishwashers state capacity in place settings instead (a separate icon).

Label by label

On a washing machine label

What the number measures: Maximum mass of dry textiles for the eco 40-60 programme, stated at 0.5 kg steps.
Unit: kg of dry laundry, in 0.5 kg steps
Test condition: declared by the supplier; the other figures on the label are tested at this load, half of it and a quarter of it.

Regulation (EU) 2019/2014, Annex III, part A, point 1.2 (VII); washer-dryer: part B, point 1.2 (VIII): rated capacity, in kg, for the eco 40-60 programme; Checked 2026-09-25.

On a tumble dryer label

What the number measures: Maximum mass of dry laundry for the eco programme; it may not be lower than the largest rated capacity of the dryer’s cotton programmes.
Unit: kg of dry laundry, in 0.5 kg steps
Test condition: declared by the supplier; tests run at this full load and at half of it.

Regulation (EU) 2023/2534, Annex III, part A, point 1.1 (IX): rated capacity, in kg, for the eco programme at full load; 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 Water per cycle in litresWashing machine, Dishwasher Programme duration (h:min)Washing machine, Dishwasher, Tumble dryer Spin-drying efficiency classWashing machine Noise in dB(A) with class A–D (appliances)On 4 product labels 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) 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.