No L 191/56 Official Journal of the European Communities 1. 8. 96 COMMISSION DECISION of 11 July 1996 establishing ecological criteria for the award of the Community eco-label to washing machines (Text with EEA relevance) (96/461/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 880/92 of 23 March 1992 on a Community eco-label award scheme ('), and in particular the second subparagraph of Article 5 (1) thereof, Whereas the first subparagraph of Article 5 (1) of Regula- tion (EEC) No 880/92 provides that the conditions for the award of the Community eco-label shall be defined by product groups; Whereas Article 10 (2) of Regulation (EEC) No 880/92 states that the environmental performance of a product shall be assessed by reference to the specific criteria for product groups; Whereas, by Decision 93/430/EEC (%), the Commission established ecological criteria for the award of the Community eco-label to washing machines, which, accor- ding to Article 3 thereof, are valid until 30 June 1996; Whereas it is appropriate to adopt a new decision estab- lishing ecological criteria for this product group, which will be valid for a further period of three years after the expiry of the period of validity of the previous criteria, in order to continue to allow for the participation in the Community eco-label award scheme of manufacturers and importers of washing machines; whereas, in order to avoid any hiatus in the validity of the ecological criteria, this Decision should therefore apply with effect from 1 July 1996; Whereas it is appropriate to revise the criteria which were established by Decision 93/430/EEC in order for the test methods and classification for energy consumption and washing performance to be expressed in a manner consis- tent with Commission Directive 95/12/EC of 23 May 1995 implementing Council Directive (EEC) No 75/92 with regard to energy labelling of household washing machines (*) and in order to adapt the energy and water consumption requirements to technological innovation and market developments; Whereas, in accordance with Article 6 of Regulation (EEC) No 880/92, the Commission has consulted the principal interest groups within a consultation forum; () OJ No L 99, 11. 4. 1992, p. 1. () OJ No L 198, 7. 8. 1993, p. 35. () OJ No L 136, 21. 6. 1995, p. 1. Whereas the measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee set up pursuant to Article 7 of Regulation (EEC) No 880/92, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 The product group to which this Decision relates is defined as: — front and top loading washing machines sold to the general public, excluding twin-tubs and washer-dryers (hereinafter referred to as ‘the product group)). Article 2 The environmental performance of the product group shall be assessed by reference to the specific ecological criteria set out in the Annex. Article 3 The definition of the product group and the specific criteria for the product group shall be valid for the period from 1 July 1996 until 30 June 1999. Article 4 The code number assigned for administrative purposes to the product group shall be ‘001’. Article 5 This Decision is addressed to the Member States. Done at Brussels, 11 July 1996. For the Commission Ritt BJERREGAARD Member of the Commission