New EU regulations for domestic coffee machines

Under new guidelines put forward by the European Union filter coffee machines will have to automatically power down in order to conserve energy.

This new regulation is  it must be noted, part of a wider initiative organised by EU nations which aims to improve standards and safety when it comes to domestic energy consumption. It also could potentially see a reduction in bills.

The new rules will only come into force for machines that are sold from next year onwards and they will be required to enter a state of stasis after brewing up a pot of coffee. Statements released by the European Commission said that the changes would save money on electricity bills which would be positively received by customers. The changes were “supported by consumer and industry organisations” as well as a number of EU member states, including the United Kingdom.

Under these new regulations domestic drip filter machines will have to enter a standby mode, in which the heated plate or element is turned off, within five minutes. Machines that do not have an insulated jug will have a forty-minute time-limit and espresso makers will have a half hour to enter its state of slumber.

Unsurprisingly the reaction from British corners has been mixed.

The ‘Get Britain Out’ campaign group has gone on record to launch an attack on the new regulations.

“Not content with the £55m they take from Britain every day, our European masters have now come after our hot coffee,” said Alan Murad.

Meanwhile Max Evans of The Daily Express noted that the moved would see “Britons forced to endure tepid cups of drip coffee.”

What has been lost is the general idea that coffee is predominantly made to consume in the immediate future and as such, these new regulations would not negatively affect households – but it just goes to show the prominence of the anti-EU feeling in mainstream quarters at the moment in Britain.

All new machines built will be required to install an ‘eco-mode’ as a default option, though it is believed that manufacturers can leave it open for individuals to disable the imposed limits.