EU targets ‘standby’ energy saving

The Ecodesign Consultation Forum has met this week to discuss the European Commission’s aim to reduce the level of energy consumption from appliances left on standby in homes and businesses.

The discussions, which involve representatives from Member States, industry and environmental NGOs, are based on a new study undertaken in the framework of the Ecodesign Directive, showing significant potential for the reduction of energy consumption during the standby mode in the EU. The investigation shows that the EU could save around 30TWh per year – approximately the annual energy use of Hungary – with a series of mandatory energy saving requirements on the ‘standby’ issue.

“Our aim is to use the Ecodesign Directive to drastically reduce standby electricity consumption by household and office products,” said Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs. “This is an important contribution to reach the energy efficiency and climate protection targets agreed at the March Council, as well as to save citizens’ money.”