Brussels, 9 September 2024 – APPLiA’s Director General, Paolo Falcioni was a keynote speaker of the EXPERT TALKS at IFA Global Markets today, to share the home appliance manufacturers vision for the future of the European industry and underlining the home appliance sector’s pivotal role to achieve a climate-neutral, fair, and prosperous Europe by 2030.

The home appliance industry stands as a cornerstone of the European economy. In 2023 alone, this vibrant sector encompassed approximately 3,300 enterprises, providing direct employment to 220,000 individuals and supporting overall 968,000 jobs. A remarkable 76% of products sold in Europe are manufactured in Europe, highlighting the industry's commitment to supporting local economies and ensuring sustainability in its operations. 

Paolo Falcioni, APPLiA’s DG, participated today at IFA Expert Talks where he could share his expertise on the evolving landscape and pending EU legislation affecting the home appliance sector.

“With EU regulations shaping every aspect of the industry, from ecodesign to the right-to-repair, there is a critical need for companies entering the market to fully grasp these legislative challenges. Successfully navigating these complexities requires a strong focus on sustainability and innovation as key drivers for growth.” he stated.

Asked to comment on the relationship between digital lifestyles and environmental impact, he noted that home appliances are evolving into smarter, more energy-efficient systems that seamlessly integrate with modern lifestyles, offering features like predictive maintenance and personalised settings. Notably, 85% of a household appliance's climate impact occurs during its use phase, making eco-friendly design a top priority. Artificial intelligence could be the game changer, here, transforming the way in which we interact with our appliances. AI-powered appliances could help in selecting the best way to minimise energy use, cutting costs and saving resources.. This is the future: appliances that do more than just work, they simplify our daily lives and protect our planet. 

The synergy between technological evolution and everyday needs is set to redefine the future of living in Europe.

The recent IFA Berlin 2024, the centennial event celebrating technological advancements in consumer electronics and home appliances, has already offered a glimpse into this exciting future. The trade show displayed the European market in its full potential, with a wide range of innovative products offering unique features and benefits, focused on key themes such as sustainability, repairability, energy efficiency, and artificial intelligence.

Homes are becoming increasingly important to European consumers, who are seeking out user- and eco-friendly appliances. Manufacturers are responding with innovative solutions, from AI-powered features to energy and resource efficiency, to improve home comfort and quality of life, ultimately meeting households' desire to contribute to sustainability through their behaviours.

As an industry committed to securing a prosperous future for Europe, APPLiA has released an open letter to President Ursula von der Leyen, calling for a strategic push to facilitate a rapid and effective transition to a climate-neutral economy. To ensure a just transition, and bolster Europe’s economic and workforce strength, we have developed a detailed roadmap that includes specific recommendations to realise this vision, including a proposal to appoint a dedicated Vice President within the European Commission to focus on industry policy and decarbonization.