Power-hungry vacuum cleaners banned

Officials say that across the EU vacuums use twice as much power per year as the French train network.

A previous ban limiting vacuums to 1,600W in 2014 has been credited with improving efficiency and cleaning performance. Tests by the consumer group 60 Millions de Consommateurs found 900W machines cleaned as well as the larger and noisier ones.

The ban, in force across the EU, also limits dust emissions to 1% and says motors must have a minimum 500 hours of life.