Miele appliances include many features that distinguish them as sustainable products. Durability and reliability are two of the most prominent attributes on this list. Miele is the only manufacturer in the industry that tests its products for a service life of 20 years. In a 2006 study performed by the German consumer research association GfK, new Miele appliances remain in use for an average of 17.0 years after their initial purchase, whereas the average useful life of other brands is only 13.7 years. A large number of Miele appliances are updatable. This makes it possible to retrofit the appliances to a certain extent, to re-program electronic units and to upgrade products to include the latest technological advances. Read more at: