Approved
5/27/09
Covered Products
This category shall cover standard-sized (>1.6 Cubic Foot) domestic clothes washers.
Definitions
Clothes Washer: An appliance designed to clean clothes, utilizing a water solution of soap or detergent and mechanical agitation or other movement.
Standard Setting and Certifying Programs
Various national and international standards apply to electronic appliances. They are defined here as a guide.
Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE) is a nonprofit public benefits corporation that promotes the manufacture and purchase of energy-efficient products and services. CEE members include utilities, statewide and regional market transformation administrators, environmental groups, research organizations and state energy offices in the U.S. and Canada. Also contributing to the collaborative process are CEE partners – manufacturers, retailers and government agencies. The U.S. Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency both provide support through active participation as well as funding. For additional information on CEE, including product specifications and a list of qualifying products, visit the CEE website at http://www.cee1.org/.
ENERGY STAR® is a voluntary energy efficiency program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The ENERGY STAR® program makes identification of energy efficient appliances easy by labeling products that deliver the same or better performance as comparable models while using less energy and saving money. For additional information on the ENERGY STAR® program, including product specifications and a list of qualifying products, visit the ENERGY STAR® website at http://www.energystar.gov.
Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive – A European Parliament and Council Directive restricts the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment. It bans the placing on the EU market of new electrical and electronic equipment containing more than agreed levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biphenyl (PBB) and polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) flame retardants. For additional information on RoHS please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/regulatory-delivery.
Specifications
Energy and Water Use:
All domestic clothes washers shall meet or exceed the CEE Tier 1 efficiency criteria. This includes meeting a minimum Modified Energy Factor (MEF) of 1.80, and maximum Water Factor (WF) of 7.5. This standard meets the requirements of Energy Law, Article 5, Section 5-108a and Executive Order No. 111.
In addition, all affected state entities are encouraged to purchase domestic clothes washers that meet or exceed the CEE Tier 3 efficiency criteria of a minimum MEF of 2.20, and a maximum WF of 4.5.
The CEE Modified Energy Factor is a combination of Energy Factor and Remaining Moisture Content. MEF measures energy consumption of the total laundry cycle (washing and drying). It indicates how many cubic feet of laundry can be washed and dried with one kWh of electricity; the higher the number, the greater the efficiency. WF is the number of gallons needed for each cubic foot of laundry. A lower number indicates lower consumption and more efficient use of water.
Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive:
All affected state entities are encouraged to purchase domestic clothes washers that comply with the final requirements of the European RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC for the restriction of certain hazardous substances in electronic equipment. The Directive addresses cadmium, mercury, lead, hexavalent chromium, and certain brominated flame retardants.
Because New York State Executive Order No. 4 mandates ongoing development of lists and specifications for the procurement of commodities, services and technology that reasonably will reduce or eliminate the health and environmental risks from the use or release of toxic substances, bidders responding to solicitations are encouraged to disclose whether or not the product(s) offered comply with the final requirements of the European RoHS Directive 2002/95/EC. Voluntary responses received will be forwarded to the Executive Order No. 4 Interagency Committee on Sustainability and Green Procurement for informational purposes to enable its periodic review and supplementation of green procurement lists and specifications for use by New York State Agencies and Authorities.
Remanufactured or Recycled Content
Affected entities are encouraged to purchase domestic clothes washers which are remanufactured or incorporate recycled materials in their manufacture to the extent practicable.
Take-Back / Recycling for Centralized/Statewide Contracts:
When replacing equipment, affected entities should work with the contractor during the purchasing process to evaluate available trade-in options regardless of manufacturer.
Contractors are encouraged to offer programs that include take-back or trade-in, and proper environmental disposal of equipment (including equipment manufactured and sold by others). Trade-in value/cost of take-back shall be determined on an individual basis.
State Agencies are reminded to follow State Finance Law § 167 regarding surplus property redistribution before trading or recycling any units that are still in operable condition. This standard requires donation of usable equipment to other state agencies prior to declaration of equipment as surplus or waste.
Affected entities should provide details regarding existing equipment for take-back, including make and model of equipment being disposed, location of equipment (i.e. whether equipment is located in a basement; up one flight of stairs; fourth floor location with elevator access; or whether agency will move to dock) and any other pertinent information that will assist the contractor in determining disposal costs.
If units are being transferred for disposition, a record of each disposition shall be retained by the affected entity. Documentation shall be provided to the affected entity demonstrating that these products have been disposed of in an environmentally sound manner in compliance with applicable local, state and federal laws. The contractor or disposing party shall provide assurance to the affected entity that all exports of used equipment collected for reuse, recycling or disposal will be in compliance with the laws of the importing country.
Take-Back / Recycling for Agency-specific Purchasing:
When replacing equipment, affected entities should work with the contractor during the purchasing process to look at available trade-in, reuse, and recycling options for their old equipment, regardless of manufacturer. Contractors are required to offer programs that include take-back, trade-in, and proper environmental disposal of equipment (including equipment manufactured and sold by others).
State Agencies are reminded to follow State Finance Law § 167 regarding surplus property redistribution before trading or recycling any units that are still in operable condition. This standard requires donation of usable equipment to other state agencies prior to declaration of equipment as surplus or waste.
Note: Affected entities should provide details regarding existing equipment for take-back when soliciting quotes; including make and model of equipment being disposed, location of equipment (i.e. whether equipment is located in a basement; up one flight of stairs; fourth floor location with elevator access; or whether agency will move to dock) and any other pertinent information that will assist the contractor in determining disposal costs.
If units are being transferred for disposition, a record of each disposition shall be retained by the affected entity. Documentation shall be provided to the affected entity demonstrating that these products have been disposed of in an environmentally sound manner in compliance with applicable local, state and federal laws. The contractor or disposing party shall provide assurance to the affected entity that all exports of used equipment collected for reuse, recycling or disposal will be in compliance with the laws of the importing country.
Packaging
Packaging shall comply with Environmental Conservation Law section 37-0205. Packaging shall not contain inks, dyes, pigments, adhesives, stabilizers, or any other additives to which any lead, cadmium, mercury, or hexavalent chromium is intentionally added or contain incidental concentrations of lead, cadmium, mercury or hexavalent chromium which together are greater than 100 parts per million by weight (0.01%).
New York State encourages affected entities to adopt the following in order of preference when purchasing items that come in packaging:
- Items that do not need packaging, or the packaging is part of the product.
- Items that come in reusable packaging.
- Items that come in bulk packaging.
- Items that come in innovative packaging that reduces the amount of packaging.
- Items that come in packaging that remains the property of the supplier and does not become the property of the end user under any circumstance or condition. The vendor shall certify that the packaging material will be reused, recycled, or composted, and managed in compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws.
- Items that come in packaging that maximizes recycled or biodegradable (compostable) content and/or meets or exceeds the minimum post-consumer content level for packaging in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines. Biodegradable products should only be used in areas where a composting facility exists that accept the material.
- Items that come in Packaging that is recyclable or biodegradable (compostable). Biodegradable products should only be used in areas where a composting facility exists and will accept the material.