Appliances must meet stricter requirements on standby energy consumption

For whom?

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

What changes?

Do you manufacture or supply electrical or electronic equipment on the EU market? Since 9 May 2025 new European requirements apply for the energy consumption of appliances in standby mode, off mode, and networked standy. From 9 May 2027 some limit values will be tightened further. As a result  these devices must meet stricter requirements on power consumption. The rules are set out in EU Regulation 2023/826 (also called the ‘Standby Regulation’).

The new limit values from 9 May 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 type of 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.

When?

The new requirements for energy consumption of appliances in standby mode, off mode, or networked standby will apply in the European Union from 9 May 2027.