BENTON HARBOR, Mich., Nov. 6, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- UL Environment recently awarded Whirlpool Corporation Multi-Attribute Product Certifications for select clothes washers including front load washers and the first certified top load models. The certification, AHAM 7003-2013/CSA SPE-7003-13/UL 7003, Sustainability Standard for Household Clothes Washers, is one of a group of voluntary standards which were the product of a cooperative effort by the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM), UL Environment, CSA Group and an AHAM taskforce that included industry experts at Whirlpool Corporation and other manufacturers.

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This certification is just the latest recognition of Whirlpool Corporation's efforts to manufacture appliances with the highest standard of energy and water efficiency as well as lifecycle sustainability without compromising performance. The certification examines six key points of environmental impact including: materials, manufacturing and operations, energy and water consumption during use, consumables, end of life, and innovation.

"Whirlpool Corporation has been a leader in advancing efficiency in energy and water consumption in its products for more than 30 years and playing a role in the development of these standards allows us to rest assured consumers everywhere will have access to sustainable home appliances," said Ron Voglewede, senior manager of sustainability for Whirlpool Corp.'s North America region. "We're proud that a wide variety of our clothes washer models, at multiple price points have met this standard – making efficient, sustainable washers available to all consumers."

Whirlpool focuses its sustainability efforts on the key areas of reducing energy and water use, cutting emissions and waste and supporting our employees and communities. The company applies those efforts to a broad view of the entire appliance lifecycle, from manufacturing, to home use, to end-of-life recycling. As energy consumption and sustainability continues as an issue of national importance to consumers, industry leaders, government officials and advocates, Whirlpool Corporation continues to make an impact by decreasing major home appliance energy consumption through product innovation and development. Through the company's environmental initiatives spanning more than three decades, the average home's appliance energy use has dropped nearly 50% in the past 25 years, to levels as low as 13% of the home's total energy consumption today.

About Whirlpool Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation is the world's leading manufacturer and marketer of major home appliances, with annual sales of approximately $18 billion in 2012, 68,000 employees, and 65 manufacturing and technology research centers around the world. The company markets Whirlpool, Maytag,KitchenAid, Jenn-Air, Amana, Brastemp, Consul, Bauknecht and other major brand names to consumers in nearly every country around the world.  Additional information about the company can be found at http://www.whirlpoolcorp.com.

SOURCE Whirlpool Corporation