semiatic

One star (*): a −6 °C compartment

A frozen compartment whose target temperature and storage condition is −6 °C. It keeps ice cubes and already-frozen food cold for a short time; it is the warmest of the star-rated compartments.

The temperature, and where it is defined

−6 °C target temperature and storage condition

Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2016, Article 2(19) and Annex IV Table 3: “‘1-star compartment’ means a frozen compartment with a target temperature and storage conditions of - 6 °C, as set out in Annex IV, Table 3”

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 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

Use it for ice cubes and for keeping food that was bought frozen for a few days. Smeg’s service FAQ puts it at “three or four days” for food; for anything longer, the date on the packet and a colder compartment are the guide.

What it does not mean

It is not a freezer: a one-star compartment is not suitable for freezing fresh food (only a four-star compartment must meet a freezing-capacity test), and −6 °C is not cold enough for the storage times printed for a −18 °C freezer.

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
A single six-armed star, usually printed on the door or lip of a small ice box inside the fridge.
Names used
1-star compartment (Regulation 2019/2016); One star (Smeg); * (Miele data sheet); Ice box (older names)

Where makers differ

Makers print the star on the door of the ice box; the regulation only uses the number. Smeg, Hoover and Miele’s data sheet all give −6 °C. A box with no star is rated for 0 °C at most — see the 0-star compartment.

Other symbols with the same shapes

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…Four stars (one large star and three small): a freezer−18 °C — One large star beside three smaller ones — the three…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.