29 November 2011 IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON THE INTRODUCTION OF THE TV-ENERGY LABEL The market for innovative Consumer Electronic Products is growing and therefore also the number of equipment per household. This, together with the increasing number of households in Europe, contributes to a special phenomenon: even though the energy consumption per equipment is decreasing, the total energy consumption is increasing. DIGITALEUROPE and its member companies, all of them well known Consumer Electronics brands, stands for innovation. Functionality and the aesthetics of the products have an equal importance as their environmental compatibility. The continuous reduction of the energy consumption of televisions is a matter of course and high priority for our industry, and has been on-going for almost two decades with excellent results. The energy efficiency of both standby mode and the product in use has improved significantly. The continuous enhancement of the technology in addition guarantees that the energy consumption per unit - depending on the functionality - will further decrease also in future. DIGITALEUROPE supports effective power efficiency marketing. This includes a unified, dynamic and language neutral European labelling of the energy consumption of all energy consuming products including televisions. In line with the introduction of the energy label for televisions, DIGITALEUROPE publishes important information for dealers and consumers by means of a Question and Answer document, which was developed from a paper originally published by ZVEI - Zentralverband Elektrotechnik- und Elektronikindustrie e.v., the German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association. 1- MAJOR QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON THE TV-ENERGY LABEL Q: When will the new energy efficiency label for televisions become applicable? In accordance with TV Regulation (EC) 1062/2010 all suppliers will be obliged to supply each television, placed on the EU market from 30 November 2011 onwards with the new EU energy label. Q: Why is there an energy label for televisions now? In line with the EU-wide revision and expansion of the legal conditions on the energy efficiency labelling the inclusion of further product categories is planned. Here televisions are the first ones in a series of newly affected products. DIGITALEUROPE aisbl Rue Joseph II, 20 >> B-1000 Brussels [Belgium] T. +32 2 609 53 10 >> F. +32 2 609 53 39 www.digitaleurope.org >> 1 of 6
Q: What benefits will the label provide for consumers? The energy label for televisions offers consumers an important orientation for their purchase decisions. It is brand neutral, considers the relevant basic aspects of the energy consumption and thereby provides a platform for comparisons. Q: Does the label indicate the real electricity consumption during practical use? Yes, the information on the label is calculated based on regulated typical consumption patterns, in the so called home-mode, and using the internationally recognised standard IEC62087 Ed.2 on-mode (average) test pattern, which better reflects typical viewing picture content than the previously-used colour bar pattern. According to the TV Regulation (EC) 642/2009 the pre-set luminance shall not be less than 65% of the maximum luminance of the product. Consumers nevertheless are free to choose other settings for instance to increase the picture brightness, in order to achieve a brilliant picture even in bright rooms with intense daylight. In practice this may lead to higher consumption figures. Additionally longer use times may lead to higher annual consumption figures. Q: Does a large television basically consume more electricity than a model with a small screen? Yes, the size of the screen influences the electricity consumption. The allocation to the energy efficiency classes is therefore based on the calculation of the energy consumption in relation to the screen area. However, larger screens in comparison to smaller screens often have a more efficient consumption and because of this achieve even better classes. It is a matter of fact though that the absolute energy consumption of bigger screen is higher. Q: Does additional integrated hardware (e.g. hard drives, additional tuners) lead to additional energy consumption of the product? Yes, hard drives and additional tuners do require extra energy. This additional energy consumption is to some extent considered in the efficiency classes. Energy consumption related to other integrated additional functions like networking, internet functions, audio processing and amplification, etc. are not fully taken into account in the efficiency classes. When purchasing the product these additional functions that are provided by the product should also be considered. A product that offers multiple additional functions might consume less energy compared to multiple devices that are connected in order to achieve the same functionalities. Q: What is the energy efficiency index and how is it calculated? The energy efficiency index (EEI) is the key parameter for the classification of the energy efficiency. The main element for calculating the EEI is the power consumption of the product in on-mode and the visible screen size. The EEI is calculated using a technology neutral formula, meaning that regardless the technology (e.g. LCD, plasma) the same formula is >> 2 of 6
being used. As a result the energy efficiency of different products can be compared. In case the product has an energy saving light sensor that automatically adjusts the brightness of the television depending upon the ambient light condition, the product is awarded an energy saving bonus of 5%. The annual energy consumption is calculated based on the energy consumption in on-mode for 4 hours a day, 365 days per year. Q: Which classes are used for the energy efficiency? Unlike large household appliances, for which the energy label was introduced 15 years ago, the first televisions will, at the introduction of the label, be marked with an A to G label (see appendix). However in case a television already achieves an energy classes better than A, it is allowed to use the next label (e.g. A+ to F). Q: Are the energy efficiency classes future proof? Yes, the energy efficiency classes will be updated regularly in order to reflect the energy efficiency improvements expected to be made. For the future the energy label already provides additional classes of A+, A++, A+++. The energy label is updated every three years with the first update in 2014 eliminating the worst class (G). After the last update in 2020 the label will consist of energy classes A+++ to D. Q: Which information is provided on the energy efficiency label? The energy efficiency label shows the maker s name and maker's model identifier shows the energy efficiency rating relative to the coloured bar graph of energy efficiency classes tells you whether the product has an easy visible power off-switch with a power consumption of max 0.01 Watt the visible screen diagonal size in centimeter and inch indicates the energy consumption in watt and the annual energy consumption in kilowatt hours based on a 4 hours in on-mode per day, 365 days a year. Q: How did the energy consumption of TVs evolve over the last 5 years? In the last 5 years the energy consumption of flat screen TVs has in relation to the screen size - decreased by more than a third. The television producers have therefore on their own account anticipated a major part of the energy goal related to the label. The discussion prior to the introduction of the label has in addition triggered further development efforts. >> 3 of 6
Q: What should a customer pay attention to if energy efficiency is of particular importance to him? The desired television should belong to a high as possible efficiency class, which can be recognised at a glance by the green colour of the bar chart of the label. However, the functionalities of the television also need to be considered, The decision for an energy efficient television, where specific elements have to be purchased in addition to obtain the full functionality, does not necessarily lead to a more favourable energy balance than the purchase of a fully integrated television. It also makes sense to pay attention to the availability of a power switch so that the television can be completely disconnected from the mains power supply if so required. Q: Who has the obligation to label the television? The dealer has the obligation to label the televisions in the selling outlet (the selling outlet is the location where the televisions are put on display for sale, rent or lease). In practice the dealer has to attach the label which the manufacturer has made available with the product. Q: How and where does the label have to be attached? Articles 4 of the television specific regulation 1 regulates this question without ambiguity: Dealers shall ensure that: (a) each television, at the point of sale, bears the label provided by suppliers in accordance with Article 3(1) on the front of the television, in such a way as to be clearly visible. Q: Do televisions that have been delivered to dealers before the commencement date of the labelling requirement also have to bear the label? No, televisions that have been placed on the market before 30 th November 2011 and are still in stock or on display with the dealer can be sold without label without any time limit. Dealers are not required to attach a label to these televisions. In case of a notice the manufacturer has to provide proof that the televisions have been placed on the market before 30 th November 2011. Q: If the television is purchased via a web-site or similar, how is the consumer informed about energy efficiency? Effective 30 th March 2012, for distance selling and other forms of selling where the end user cannot be expected to see the TV displayed, the retailer must ensure that as a minimum the end user is provided with the energy efficiency class, the on-mode power consumption, the annual power consumption and the visible screen diagonal. 1 COMMISSION DELEGATED REGULATION (EU) C(2010) 6619 final of 28.9.2010 supplementing Directive 2010/30/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to energy labeling of televisions. >> 4 of 6
Q: Does promotional material or advertisements have to show energy efficiency information? Yes, as of 30 th March 2012, both suppliers and retailers have obligations concerning advertising and promotional material. If an advertisement for a specific model discloses energy related or price information it must also disclose the model s energy efficiency class. Similarly, the energy efficiency class of the model must be disclosed in any promotional material which describes the model s technical parameters. Appendix 1 Label design Maker s name Maker s model identifier On mode power W Shows TV has offswitch (omitted if no off-switch) Visible screen diagonal (inch and cm) Energy efficiency rating Annual on-mode power kwh (on-mode x 4h x 365d) Regulation reference and Label validity date >> 5 of 6
ABOUT DIGITALEUROPE DIGITALEUROPE is the voice of the European digital economy including information and communication technologies and consumer electronics. DIGITALEUROPE is dedicated to improving the business environment for the European digital technology industry and to promoting our sector s contribution to economic growth and social progress in the European Union. DIGITALEUROPE ensures industry participation in the development and implementation of EU policies. DIGITALEUROPE s members include 61 global corporations and 37 national trade associations from across Europe. In total, 10,000 companies employing two million citizens and generating 1 trillion in revenues. Our website provides further information on our recent news and activities: http://www.digitaleurope.org THE MEMBERSHIP OF DIGITALEUROPE COMPANY MEMBERS: Acer, Alcatel-Lucent, AMD, APC by Schneider Electric, Apple, Bang & Olufsen, BenQ Europa BV, Bose, Brother, Buffalo, Canon, Cassidian, Cisco, Dassault Systems, Dell, Epson, Ericsson, Fujitsu, Hitachi, HP, Huawei, IBM, Ingram Micro, Intel, JVC, Kenwood, Kodak, Konica Minolta, Lexmark, LG, Loewe, Microsoft, Mitsubishi, Motorola Mobility, Motorola Solutions, NEC, Nokia, Nokia Siemens Networks, Océ, Oki, Optoma, Oracle, Panasonic, Philips, Pioneer, Qualcomm, Research In Motion, Ricoh, Samsung, Sanyo, SAP, Sharp, Siemens, Smart Technologies, Sony, Sony Ericsson, Swatch Group, Technicolor, Texas Instruments, Toshiba, Xerox NATIONAL TRADE ASSOCIATIONS: Austria: FEEI; Belgium: AGORIA; Bulgaria: BAIT; Cyprus: CITEA; Czech Republic: ASE; Denmark: DI ITEK, IT-BRANCHEN; Estonia: ITL; Finland: FFTI; France: SIMAVELEC; Germany: BITKOM, ZVEI; Greece: SEPE; Hungary: IVSZ; Ireland: ICT IRELAND; Italy: ANITEC; Lithuania: INFOBALT; Netherlands: ICT OFFICE, FIAR; Poland: KIGEIT, PIIT; Portugal: AGEFE, APDC; Romania: APDETIC; Slovakia: ITAS; Slovenia: GZS; Spain: AMETIC; Sweden: IT&Telekomföretagen; United Kingdom: INTELLECT Belarus: INFOPARK; Norway: ABELIA, IKT NORGE; Switzerland: SWICO; Turkey: ECID, TESID, TÜBISAD; Ukraine: IT UKRAINE >> 6 of 6