Appliances must meet stricter requirements on standby energy consumption

What changes?

Do you manufacture or supply electrical or electronical equipment on the EU market? From 2027 these appliances must meet stricter requirements on power consumption in standby mode, off mode, and networked standby. EU Regulation 2023/826 (also called the ‘Standby Regulation’) aims to make products more energy-efficient and to save energy. To this end, the maximum limits for energy consumption are lowered.

The new limits from 2027 are:

• Devices must not consume more than 0.5 Watts in standby.
• In off mode the limit is 0.3 Watts. 
• If an appliance displays their status or information on standby the limit is 0.8. 
• Devices in networked standby must not consume more than 2 to 7 Watts, depending on the product

Networked standby means that a device seems to be off, but is still connected to a network, such as wifi or internet. The device then still consumes energy, for example to receive updates or to be turned on remotely.

What does this mean for you?

• You will have to adapt or redesign your products to ensure they meet the new energy requirements.
• You can only bring products to the EU market that stay within the power consumption limits.

For whom?

• manufacturers of electrical and electronic appliances
• importers of such appliances from countries outside the EU

When?

The new requirements for energy consumption of appliances in standby mode, off mode, or networked standby will apply in the European Union from 1 January 2027.