The consumer take on ecodesign for electronic displays

Over the years, electronic displays have grown in size and energy consumption while homes and living spaces have remained the same. This trend is expected to continue in the coming years, further increasing the energy demand of these screens. In fact, televisions and other electronic displays already account for 10% of household electricity consumption.

With this context, the European Commission is developing a proposal on electronic displays in the form of a delegated act under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR). Such regulation allows the Commission to set product-specific requirements, and has already improved product sustainability and efficiency. For instance, European households can save €650 every year on their energy bills thanks to more efficient appliances, while Ecodesign rules have also co made smartphones easier to repair and given consumers more information at the point of purchase.

BEUC recommendations:
1.    Support new testing approach of dynamic luminance
2.    Refine and strengthen standby requirements 
3.    Maintain restrictions on halogenated flame retardants 
4.    Enhance display repairability
5.    Include a repair score on the energy label 
6.    Include a recommended viewing distance on the energy label
7.    Ensure software support
8.    Balance increasing size with rescaled energy classes
9.    Consider reliability requirements

More information:

• BEUC's market check: Repairing the market: A cross-European repairability check
• BEUC's study about EU consumer savings resulting from Ecodesign measures: Energy-savings appliances: the silent money makers in consumers’ homes
• BEUC's success story: Longer-lasting and more repairable smartphones and tablets
• BEUC's position paper: Making more sustainable products the new normal