Who are these criteria useful for?

Households focused on long-term repairability

You want to look beyond the overall score. Access to spare parts, ease of disassembly, documentation and maintenance can all influence your choice of a specific model.

Households choosing a machine to suit their needs

You need to choose a capacity that suits your laundry while also considering the space available, spin performance, noise and energy consumption information.

Households deciding between repair and replacement

Your washing machine has broken down and you want to know whether it can still be repaired before buying a new one.

Which criteria should you check first?

According to the ministry responsible for the ecological transition, the durability rating has applied to household washing machines covered by the rules in France since 8 April 2025. When choosing a new machine, weigh up the rating against your household’s needs. If your current machine has broken down, also find out whether it can be repaired.

What matters What to check before choosing Who this matters to
Durability and repairability Compare the rating out of 10 for the exact model, then check its reliability and repairability criteria, including access to spare parts. The detailed information published for that model helps you look beyond the overall score. I want to be able to maintain the machine and check whether its parts will remain available, rather than relying on a score alone. Around 36% of consumers put durability and repairability at the top of their list of concerns.
Capacity and installation Match the capacity in kg to your usual laundry load, and check the dimensions and layout of the space where the machine will go. The machine needs to suit my laundry and the space I have, without making me run extra cycles. For around 29% of consumers, this fit for purpose is the priority.
Energy use and noise Check the energy label to compare the energy use, spin performance and noise level of the models you’re considering, separately from their durability ratings. If the washing machine is near a living area, I want to take noise into account as well as energy use. These criteria come first for around 21% of consumers.
Repair or replace Have the fault with your current machine assessed and check whether the required part is available before deciding to replace it. Before writing off my broken washing machine, I want to know whether it can still be repaired. Around 14% of consumers prioritise this decision.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Choosing based on the overall score alone

    The rating brings together reliability and repairability criteria. Two washing machines with similar scores may still warrant a closer look at their parts, ease of disassembly, documentation and maintenance.

    Use the score to identify models to compare, then check the published information for each exact model.

  • Confusing durability with features for everyday use

    The durability rating doesn’t replace the energy label, which provides separate information on energy use, spin performance and noise.

    Check both side by side and see which features best suit your laundry habits and home.

  • Choosing a large capacity without considering your needs

    A larger capacity isn’t automatically a better fit. ADEME says a 7 kg washing machine is sufficient in most cases and advises against running repeated cycles with an underfilled drum.

    Start with your usual laundry load and how often you wash, then check the dimensions of the machine you’re considering.

  • Writing off a broken machine without checking whether it can be repaired

    A fault may make it worth looking into a repair, but whether this is possible depends on factors such as the fault and the part required.

    Have the machine assessed before deciding whether it needs to be replaced.

Brands to know

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Frequently asked questions

Which washing machines must display a durability rating in France?

The rating applies to household washing machines covered by Regulation (EU) 2019/2023. According to the ministry responsible for the ecological transition, it has applied to the machines covered since 8 April 2025. The score out of 10 must be displayed in shops and online. Check which category the model you’re considering falls into, rather than assuming the requirement applies to every type of washing machine.

Is a higher durability rating enough to make a choice?

No. The rating gives you information about reliability and repairability, not whether the machine suits your home or the amount of laundry you do. Also compare the capacity, dimensions and energy label information for the exact model.

Where can I find details of the durability rating?

Suppliers of products covered by the rules must publish the data used to calculate the rating on the public data.gouv.fr platform. Search for the exact model to check its reliability and repairability criteria separately, rather than using information for a similar variant.