semiatic

Four stars (one large star and three small): a freezer

A true freezer: a compartment with a target temperature and storage condition of −18 °C that also meets the freezing-capacity requirement — it can freeze at least 4.5 kg of fresh food per 100 litres of freezer volume in 24 hours, and never less than 2.0 kg.

The temperature, and where it is defined

−18 °C target temperature and storage condition

Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2016, Article 2(12), Annex I point 4 and Annex IV point 1(i) and Table 3: “‘freezer compartment’ or ‘4-star compartment’ means a frozen compartment with a target temperature and storage conditions of - 18 °C and which fulfils the requirements for the freezing capacity”

Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2016 — Article 2, Definitions (energy labelling of refrigerating appliances), on legislation.gov.uk Checked 2026-09-27.
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2016 — Annex I, Definitions applicable for the Annexes, on legislation.gov.uk Checked 2026-09-27.
Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2016 — Annex IV, Measurement methods and calculations (Table 3: storage conditions and target temperature per compartment type), on legislation.gov.uk Checked 2026-09-27.

The temperature is the one the law uses to rate the compartment; your appliance’s own manual and rating plate say which compartment it has. The test methods behind these figures are in the IEC 62552 series of standards, which are paid documents and were not read for this page; the wording above is the regulation’s.

How the makers say to use it

Freeze fresh food here, and store frozen food. The most fresh food you can freeze in 24 hours is on the rating label (Electrolux, Hoover). For large amounts the manuals say to switch on fast freeze hours ahead — Bosch and Miele say 24 hours before the maximum amount, Liebherr about 24 hours.

What it does not mean

It does not mean colder than three stars: both have a −18 °C target, and the fourth, larger star is not a lower temperature but the tested ability to freeze fresh food. The capacity on the label is not a daily amount you can exceed by filling the freezer at once.

The temperature is the one the law uses to rate the compartment; your appliance’s own manual and rating plate say which compartment it has.

What it looks like
One large star beside three smaller ones — the three stars of a −18 °C compartment plus a larger star for the ability to freeze.
Names used
4-star compartment; Freezer compartment (Regulation 2019/2016); 4 star zone (Indesit); **** food freezer compartment (Miele data sheet)

Where makers differ

Indesit calls the whole freezer the “4 star zone”; Miele’s data sheet, written under the older Regulation (EU) No 1060/2010, writes it ****. A freezer may be set colder than −18 °C (Bosch and Hisense go down to −24 °C), which does not change the rating.

Other symbols with the same shapes

One star (*): a −6 °C compartment−6 °C — A single six-armed star, usually printed on the door or…Two stars (**): a −12 °C compartment or section−12 °C — Two six-armed stars side by side — on an ice box, or on a…Three stars (***): a −18 °C frozen-food compartment−18 °C — Three six-armed stars in a row, with no larger star…No stars: the 0-star or ice-making compartment (0 °C)0 °C — A small box or flap at the top of a fridge with no star…

Sources

The temperature is the regulation’s own figure, read on the date shown; the makers’ documents below repeat it for their appliances.

Written in our own words; quotations are the regulation’s or the makers’ wording.