Navigating the New Appliance Bonus in Italy
A new incentive program is launching in Italy to encourage the purchase of energy-efficient household appliances.Here’s a breakdown of the key details:
Eligible Appliances & Requirements:
The bonus applies to both ovens and hobs. Ovens must have a minimum energy efficiency rating of ‘A’. While a specific energy class isn’t mandated for hobs, they must possess the necessary safety certifications. A crucial requirement for both appliance types is that they are “Made in EU”.
Identifying Participating Products:
Manufacturers are compiling lists of eligible models. Retailers, both online and in physical stores, will clearly mark incentivized appliances with a dedicated “sticker” for easy identification.
Scrapping & usage Limits:
To qualify for the discount, consumers must scrap an old appliance of the same category and with a lower energy class. This old appliance must be handed over to the retailer at the time of purchase, who will then ensure it enters the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) recycling stream.
The bonus is limited to one per family unit. It also cannot be combined with other incentives for the same appliance – for example, the renovation bonus.
How to Obtain & use the Voucher:
The voucher request process is managed through the IO app. The app verifies the applicant’s identity, confirms they haven’t already received the bonus, and checks for available funds.
Households with an ISEE (Equivalent Economic Situation Indicator) of less than €25,000 will be eligible for an increased maximum voucher amount.
Once issued, the voucher is accessible within the IO app and via email. It’s important to note that vouchers are onyl valid for 15 days from the date of issue (expiring at 11:59 PM on the fifteenth day). Expired vouchers cannot be used, though a new application can be submitted, with no guarantee of approval if funds are depleted.
Making a Purchase & Applying the Discount:
Vouchers can be used at registered retailers, both physical stores and online platforms.The discount is applied directly to the invoice by entering the voucher’s serial number during the purchase process.Retailers then “cancel” the voucher upon disbursing the incentive. If a purchase is cancelled (particularly online), the discount is voided and the voucher becomes unusable.
Fund Availability:
the total budget for the initiative is €50 million,with approximately €48.1 million allocated to direct incentives (the remaining €1.9 million covers platform management). This funding is estimated to support between 400,000 and 450,000 purchases. Once the €48.1 million is exhausted, the platform will stop issuing new vouchers. however, funds tied to expired, unused vouchers may become available, potentially allowing for further allocations.
launch Timeline:
The system is prepared, but manufacturers need to finalize their lists of eligible models, and retailers must register on the platform and make necessary adjustments. The frist vouchers are expected to be issued in the first half of November, although full retailer participation may not be immediate.
