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Deadline for new EU law on powerful vacuum cleaners

At 2,100 Watts, this vacuum - still for sale on the Tesco website - will be outlawed. Credit: Tesco.com

Consumers are expected to snap up the last of the most powerful vacuum cleaners on the market as a new law banning those rated above 1,600 watts comes into effect today.

The new EU energy label means manufacturers will not be able to make or import vacuum cleaners with a motor that exceeds 1,600 watts from today, and then 900 watts by 2017.

Current models boast an average of 1,800 watts.

Tesco said sales had risen by 44% over the past two weeks, with customers snapping up the most popular 2,000 watt models, and the Co-operative Electrical shop reported a rise of 38%.