Energy savings and lower bills for EU consumers with new electrical appliances standards 

Updated limits of energy consumption for electrical appliances in standby modes started to apply across the EU on 9 May.  

With most electric appliances still using electricity when turned off or in 'standby' mode, the new measures will allow the EU to save annually 4TWh of electricity by 2030. It is the equivalent to nearly double Malta's annual electricity consumption and enough to power more than 1 million electric cars, and will reduce 1.4 million tonnes of CO2 emissions. As a result, EU consumers are expected to benefit from lower energy bills, with collective savings estimated at €530 million annually by 2030. 

These new rules require that detailed information on standby mode consumption is made accessible to consumers. The rules, which take into account recent technological advances, apply to new products placed on the market in the EU as of 9 May. The new limits are extended to products using low voltage external power supplies, such as Wi-Fi routers and wireless speakers. They also introduce for the first time limits to motor-operated furniture and building elements, such as curtains or desks.   

More information on the EU rules on electrical appliances in standby is available online. 

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