ABSTRACT
Washing machines belong to the 'white goods' product category. Washing machines are an example of a product group in the area of durables with a predominance of environmental impacts in the consumption phase. More specifically, Italy is by far Europe's leading producer country of appliances in general and of washing machines in particular. In Germany, washing machines are an important part of overall sales in white goods. The German washing machine industry is an open economy, showing an increase in exports and imports since the 1980s but with a growing tendency towards an export surplus. The Spanish production of washing machines holds position in Europe. All washing machines are imported, mainly from other European countries. The washing machine product group is confronted with several trends and developments in the field of new production concepts, technical trends and new marketing concept. The environmental problems of washing machines have been analysed in some lifecycle assessment studies.
