EU proposals to reduce standby electric power consumption

Stand-by and off-mode losses
Standby functions (e.g. remote control activation of a television set) and off mode losses (occurring when a product cannot be switched off completely when providing no service/function) are a common feature of electrical and electronic household and office equipment (consumer electronics, information and communication technology equipment, personal care products, etc.). In general these products compete on highly price sensitive markets. On the other hand users are often not aware of the electricity consumption and costs of standby/off mode, which are usually small for a single product[3], therefore low power consumption in standby/off mode is not an important purchasing criterion. However, a typical household is in general equipped with dozens of products featuring the standby/off mode, and the resulting energy consumption and related costs are significant.

Technical solutions that reduce energy consumption in standby/off mode are frequently not applied, mostly due to possible additional costs for the manufacturer albeit in general very low (i.e. several Euros). Nonetheless, a slightly higher purchasing price pays off for the user because the overall life cycle cost, i.e. the purchasing cost plus the costs for operating the product, is reduced. This leads to electricity consumption and related costs being (much) higher than necessary.

Electrical and electronic household and office equipment featuring the standby and off mode is sold in vast numbers throughout the Community. Electricity consumption related to standby and off mode is significant, and significant cost effective improvement potentials exist.
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