Death of the old standby mode? – Eco-design directive kicks in

On 8 July 2008, the European Commission proposed the first implementing measure of the Eco-design Directive (Directive 2005/32/EC). This covers standby in electrical and electronic household and office equipment (which is defined by reference to an Annex and includes a non-exhaustive list of devices, such as washing machines, electric ovens, toasters, hair dryers, televisions, audio equipment, sports equipment, toys, computers and printers). Under the Eco-design Directive, energy consumption and environment impacts of energy-using products are to be reviewed and reduced where appropriate through implementing measures. It is not surprising that standby mode was under close scrutiny. This first Regulation follows a series of studies and consultations. If accepted by the European Parliament, the Regulation will set standards that, in turn, will fix maximum power consumption for standby mode across a range of products – from large household goods to computer equipment and consumer electronics. The proposed Regulation will only apply to new products which are sold in the EU for the first time after the coming into force of the proposed Regulation, including such equipment manufactured outside the EU and imported into the EU after the implementation date.

The current energy wastage that results from keeping a device on standby is estimated to account for more than 10% of total electricity use in homes and offices in the EU. Once in force, the European Commission expects the proposed Regulation to cut standby electricity consumption by almost 75% by 2020.

Under the proposal:

1. within one year of the Regulation coming into force (which is not likely to be before the end of 2008) (a) products with a simple standby or off mode (i.e. with only a simple indicator showing that reactivation is possible) would be limited to consumption of 1W of energy whilst on standby/off mode, and (b) products that include an information or status display for the standby or off mode would be limited to 2W consumption; and

2. within four years of the Directive coming into force, the above limits would be halved to 0.5W and 1W respectively whilst on standby/off mode.

Also manufacturers will have to ensure that an assessment is carried out to show that their products conform with the Regulation. This assessment will have to consider and document:

• the power consumption data in watts
• the measurement method used
• description of how the appliance mode was selected or programmed
• sequence of events to reach the mode where the equipment automatically changes modes
• any notes regarding the operation of the equipment

The documentation will also have to include the parameters used in testing during the conformity assessment (such as ambient temperature, test voltage, total harmonic distortion of the electricity supply system and the instrumentation used). Manufacturers must keep this documentation for ten years after the date the last relevant product is manufactured and it must be available, on request, for inspection by the appropriate Member State.

Manufacturers will no doubt consider options available for adapting their products to comply with the proposed Regulation to ensure their products are in line with the proposed standards.

Importantly because this is a Regulation, and not a Directive, as soon as it is passed into law (on the 20th day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Journal) it will have effect across the EU. It does not have to await implementing legislation in the various Member States.

The proposed Regulation will be scrutinised by the European Parliament and is scheduled to come into force sometime in 2008. The proposed Regulation is expressly required to be reviewed, in the light of technological progress, by the Commission within six years of it coming into force. This is a feature of many modern environment laws which set obligations upon the law makers to review legislation in the light of improvements in technology rather than, for instance, waiting for lobbying from concerned stakeholders. It is, of course, a useful tool for the advancement of cleantech.

Co-author Jessica Chilton can be contacted on +44 (0)207 367 3259 or
[email protected]

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