Europe’s home appliance sector is in the middle of a remarkable innovation surge. Over the past decade, the number of patents granted for home appliances has more than doubled—rising from 2,191 in 2014 to over 4,700 in 2024. Behind this growth is a vibrant ecosystem of engineers, designers and researchers working across Europe to create products that are more efficient, more connected and built to last.

This wave of innovation doesn’t just benefit consumers looking for smarter, greener appliances. It also strengthens Europe’s industrial competitiveness at a time when global markets are shifting fast. But maintaining this momentum requires the right environment—one that supports investment, encourages research and development, and ensures manufacturers can scale new technologies across the continent.

The Challenges Threatening Europe’s Innovation Lead

Despite the progress, the industry is sounding the alarm. 
APPLiA, the association representing Europe’s home appliance manufacturers, warns that several mounting pressures could slow the sector’s growth:

– Rising operational and production costs 
– Increasingly complex regulatory requirements 
– Uneven enforcement of EU rules across member states

These challenges risk pushing innovation—and the jobs and skills that come with it—outside Europe’s borders.

A Call for an EU Action Plan

To safeguard the future of Europe’s home appliance industry, APPLiA is urging policymakers to adopt a dedicated EU Action Plan for the Home Appliance Industry. 
The goal is clear: keep innovation, manufacturing and technical expertise rooted in Europe.

Such a plan would aim to:

– Create a predictable and supportive regulatory environment 
– Encourage long‑term investment in R&D 
– Strengthen Europe’s position as a global leader in sustainable, high‑performance appliances 
– Ensure fair and consistent rule enforcement across all EU markets 

Discover the Campaign

APPLiA’s campaign outlines concrete proposals designed to help the industry continue delivering the efficient, durable and connected products consumers expect—while keeping Europe competitive on the world stage.

👉 Explore the full campaign and proposals to see what’s at stake for the future of European home appliances.