IEC 60436 ED5

Electric dishwashers for household use - Methods for measuring the performance

Scope

IEC 60436:2025 applies to electric dishwashers for household and similar use that are supplied with hot and/or cold water. The object of this document is to state and define the principal performance characteristics of electric dishwashers for household and similar use and to describe the standard methods of measuring these characteristics. This document is concerned neither with safety nor with minimum performance requirements.
This fifth edition cancels and replaces the fourth edition published in 2015, and Amendment 1:2020. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) Implementation of a new reference machine, which better reflects modern dishwasher energy and water saving technologies. Its ability to function as a reference machine for the cleaning assessment was assessed in a Round Robin Test.
b) Implementation of the new reference detergent type E, which better reflects market detergents formulations. It includes upgraded enzymes and a lower content of silicates to reduce the alkalinity which simplifies the world wide transportation by avoiding dangerous goods labelling and therefore improves the usage all over the world.
c) Implementation of an alignment factor for the cleaning performance assessment as proposed in a scientific study done by an university to align test results of the previous version to the new version of this document with the new reference system described above.
d) Introduction of replacements and alternatives for the pan and knives as the production of the current ones was stopped.
e) Improvement of the room temperature control by a temperature measurement inside the dishwasher directly prior to the start of the test programme.
f) Update of the weight of different load items and the specified ranges to anneal the requirements in the document to the actual weight of the items.
g) Introduction of an updated method to assess low power modes providing a step-by-step measurement description and including new modes, e.g. network standby which are of increased importance for dishwasher offering additional services via internet connection. Additionally, reactions to different interactions with the appliance can be assessed in a better way and learnings of Round Robin Test are included.
h) Inclusion of additional method for dishwasher testing which allows the assessment of variations of dishwasher units from one model.
i) New requirements for the loading and handling instructions for tests institutes.
j) Implementation of testing methodology for multi-compartment dishwashers.
k) Improvement of ballast soil preparation process in Annex V.