{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-decision-2004-669/annex/division-3/division-6",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-decision-2004-669/annex/division-3/division-6.json",
  "legislation": "eudn/2004/669",
  "legislation_title": "Commission Decision of 6 April 2004 establishing revised ecological criteria for the award of the Community eco-label to refrigerators and amending Decision 2000/40/EC (notified under document number C(2004) 1414) (Text with EEA relevance) (2004/669/EC)",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-decision-2004-669",
  "path": "annex/division/3/division/6",
  "kind": "division",
  "number": "6",
  "heading": "User instructions",
  "text": "The appliance shall be sold with an instruction manual, which provides advice on the correct environmental use and, in particular:\n6.1. The following text on the cover page or first page: ‘Information on how to minimise environmental impacts is given in this manual.’\n6.2. Recommendations for optimal use of energy in the operation of the appliance, including:\n6.2.1. guidelines concerning the placing or installation of the appliance, amongst others, stating the minimum dimensions of free space around the appliance needed to ensure sufficient circulation of air, and also indicating that where the consumer has the possibility, significant energy savings can be achieved by placing the appliance in an unheated or less heated location;\n6.2.2. advice that the consumer should avoid placing the appliance next to any heat source (such as ovens, radiators, etc.) or in direct sunlight; advice that, where relevant, the consumer should consider insulating the appliance from wall or under floor heating sources;\n6.2.3. advice that the thermostat setting is dependent on the ambient temperature and therefore, the temperature setting should be checked by using an appropriate thermometer (explanation on how to proceed should be provided);\n6.2.4. advice that hot foodstuffs should be allowed to cool down before placing in the appliance, as the steam from the foodstuffs contributes to the icing up of the evaporator unit, but that the cooling period, however, should be as short as possible for health and hygiene reasons;\n6.2.5. advice that the evaporator unit should be kept clean from thick layers of ice and that frequent defrosting facilitates the removal of the ice cover;\n6.2.6. advice that the sealing of the door should be replaced when not functioning properly;\n6.2.7. advice that when moving the appliance sufficient time should be allowed before switching it on again;\n6.2.8. advice that the condenser on the back of the appliance and the space underneath the appliance should be kept clean from dust and kitchen debris;\n6.2.9. information that ignoring the issues mentioned above will lead to higher energy consumption and therefore higher running costs.\n6.3. Advice that any damage to the condenser (heat-exchanger) on the back of the appliance, or other events leading to exposure of the refrigerant to the environment, should be avoided because of potential environmental and health risks. The manual shall specifically mention that sharp objects (such as knives, screwdrivers, etc. should not be used for removing ice as they could damage the evaporator unit.\n6.4. Information that the appliance is made of parts and materials, including fluids, which are reusable and/or recyclable.\n6.5. Advice on how the consumer can make use of the manufacturer’s take-back offer.\nThe applicant shall declare compliance of the appliance with these requirements. The applicant shall provide the Competent Body assessing the application with a copy of the instruction manual.",
  "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eudn/2004/669/annex/division/3/division/6",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-11-01T15:18:07.662289+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}