Environment
Our bit for the environment
Our general goal is to reduce the environmental impact of our products and production plans as much as possible. Our self-image in environmental management is expressed in our corporate policy. Our responsibility to the environment therefore begins with the design of our appliance ranges. We utilise high-quality components for a long and safe operating life and thus the highest level of energy efficiency in our appliances. Even the production processes are geared toward the efficient use of resources. In order to implement our corporate policy and ensure a constant improvement in our environmental performance, almost all companies are certified to the international environmental management standard ISO 14001.
Corporate policy at Liebherr-Hausgeräte GmbH
As a globally active family company, we bear great responsibility with regard to the company, the environment, our customers, our employees and our suppliers. We believe that we can only be successful in the long term if we always give this due consideration in the course of our business dealings and strive for the best possible harmony between economy, ecology and business requirements.
This policy clearly defines the core values of the Liebherr Group and expresses what Liebherr-Hausgeräte GmbH means by quality, sustainability and responsibility. It applies in its entirety to all of our production locations.
Biocide regulation
The Biocidal Products Regulation (EU) No 528/2012 governs the use and placing on the market of biocidal products and articles treated with such products. “Biocidal products” and “treated articles” are distinguished as follows.
Biocidal products contain at minimum a biocidal active ingredient and are intended to destroy harmful organisms such as bacteria or fungi. The regulation determines what products are permitted for certain applications. Products that are not permitted may not be used or placed on the market, unless permission is applied for and granted. An example of a biocidal product is a protective wood glaze.
Treated articles are mixtures or products that have been treated with biocidal products or to which biocidal products have been intentionally added with the aim of preserving the articles themselves. They may only be placed on the market in the EU if they have been treated with biocidal products permitted in the EU. An example of a “treated article” is a fence panel treated with a protective wood glaze.
They are subject to a labelling requirement when:
- a reference is made to the product properties resulting from the biocidal treatment, and/or
- the approval for the biocidal active ingredient expressly requires this.
Currently, Liebherr-Hausgeräte GmbH is under no obligation to declare the use of any biocides.
Correct disposal of all electrical appliances
As an electrical appliance still contains valuable materials and substances after the appliance is no longer in service, correct disposal is very important. These substances can be recovered and used again for manufacturing new electrical appliances. Therefore, appliances which are no longer in service must be disposed of both correctly, so as to prevent potential damage to the environment, and according to local laws and regulations. In this way, the owner of the appliance contributes to the protection of the environment and especially to the conservation of resources.
The symbol depicting the crossed-out rubbish bin indicates that the appliance must not be disposed of as part of the non-recyclable rubbish or domestic refuse. It must therefore be disposed of according to local regulations.
Before disposing of an electrical appliance, light sources which are designed to be replaced by the end user must be removed and disposed of separately at a recycling centre or collection station. Information regarding the presence of such lamps in the appliance and instructions for their removal can be found in the operating instructions for the appliance.
Data protection policy
Please note that you, the end user, are responsible for the irreversible deletion of any personal data which may be stored on the appliance you are disposing of.
After the user has properly returned the appliance, we, the manufacturer, assume responsibility for the appliance: We have appropriate contracts which ensure that the appliances are recycled in an environmentally friendly manner and that any residual materials are disposed of properly. As part of this process, both legal restrictions and normative guidelines are followed. Compliance with these regulations is confirmed by regular audits of the recycling facilities. Violations are subject to various penalties, which may even include a delivery stop. We, the manufacturer, endeavour to fulfil our responsibility to the environment one hundred percent – over the entire life cycle of our appliances.
Information in accordance with Article 33 of Regulation (EU) No 1907/2006 (REACh)
The article stipulates that any supplier of an item must inform their customer if the item they supply contains a “substance of very high concern” in concentrations of more than 0.1% by mass. These substances of very high concern are also abbreviated to SVHC. The “SVHCs” are published in the “candidate list”, which is updated twice yearly and can always be accessed under: Candidate list
Our online search is designed to make it as easy as possible for you to find information regarding possible SVHCs contained in your appliance or spare part. We are obliged to inform you of these substances; their use is not prohibited.
Please keep in mind that the requirements for which SVHCs must be reported is amended by the European Chemicals Agency every six months. This means that any search is a snapshot.
Your health and safety is our concern.
If the appliance concerned is used as intended and disposed of properly, the substances it contains do not pose any risk to health or the environment. Your safety as well as that of your stored food is ensured. SVHCs may not be used if there is a risk that they might migrate into your food. The SVHCs are mainly either contained in inaccessible components (e.g. in the electronics) or firmly integrated in the substance of plastic materials. If, in individual cases, particular safety measures should become necessary, we will inform you of them on this site. You can search for appliances using the serial number or SKU (Stock Keeping Unit). For spare parts, please enter the nine-digit spare part number.
Certified environmental management system
We pursue an integral and economically responsible approach to environmental protection that encompasses the entire product life cycle: from development, production and use through to later disposal. Key aspects in this respect are energy and resource management, waste management and climate protection. Using corporate policy as a basis, environmental management is governed and organised by the “integrated management system”. At all of our production locations, environmental management is certified to the international ISO 14001 standard.
ISO 14001 puts a focus on continual improvement of environmental performance. As part of environmental management, guidelines are laid down for the key aspects relevant to the environment. Monitoring and control of environmental management are performed making use of relevant environmental indicators. This procedure enables us to implement far-reaching measures quickly and effectively and to achieve consistent improvement in environmental performance.