ErP stands for Energy-related Products, the EU's energy efficiency directive. At every stage of their production, distribution and use, energy-related products are closely linked to many significant environmental impacts, such as the consumption of other raw materials and natural resources (including water), the generation of waste, environmental pollution from the emission of hazardous substances, and climate change caused by energy consumption.

As early as 18 April this year the EU published the new ecodesign regulation (EU) 2023/826, which sets new requirements for off mode, standby mode and networked standby of household and office electrical and electronic equipment. The new ErP regulation (EU) 2023/826 becomes mandatory after 9 May 2025 and replaces the EU standby power regulation (EC) No 1275/2008 and the simple set-top box regulation (EC) No 107/2009.

After 9 May 2025, products that do not comply with (EU) 2023/826 may not be newly placed on the EU market; however, products already placed on the market before 9 May 2025 are not affected.

Wider scope

The revision aims to update ecodesign requirements in line with technical progress. Compared with the previous regulation, the new one covers a broader range of products, bringing in many products whose sales in the European market have been gradually increasing, including:

Electric furniture; electric building equipment such as doors, windows, blinds and curtains.

Of particular note, products powered by a low-voltage external power supply (for example adapters below 6 V) are now covered by the new regulation.

Handheld devices with rechargeable batteries, where the battery must be charged by plugging into the mains, are also now within the scope of the new regulation; the new regulation requires standby power to be tested with the battery fully charged.

Printing equipment is also covered by the new regulation (except 3D printers).

The original implementing regulation for simple set-top boxes, 107/2009, has been repealed and simple set-top boxes are now covered by the new regulation as well.

Stricter limits

Information requirements

The instructions for end users and the free-access website provided by the manufacturer, importer or authorised representative shall include the following information, as applicable:

(1) For each off mode, standby mode or other mode not exceeding the applicable power consumption requirements for off or standby mode into which the equipment is switched by power management or similar functions, as well as networked standby, the following shall be indicated:

- the power consumption in watts, rounded to one decimal place;

- the time in minutes, rounded to the nearest minute, for the equipment to reach the automatic standby mode, off mode or networked standby;

(2) The power consumption of the equipment with all wired network ports connected and all wireless network ports activated;

(3) For equipment that requires an external power supply but is placed on the market without one, technical characteristics information identifying the external power supply model to be used with the equipment;

(4) Guidance on how to activate and deactivate wireless network ports.

NTEK reminder

From now on, manufacturers may choose to test against either the new standby power regulation or the old one to confirm conformity. From 9 May 2025, conformity must be confirmed in accordance with the new regulation (EU) 2023/826.