The EU Codes of Conduct: What Have They Achieved and What are the Challenges?

There is no doubt that developments in digital TV and broadband communication will have a large impact on residential energy consumption if no adequate policy actions are implemented. The European Union has established a successful stakeholder forum through its Codes of Conduct for Energy Efficiency. This forum agrees on power levels for defined operating modes, and provides further guidelines, e.g. on power management, to achieve desirable efficiency levels. Two Codes of Conduct are in operation: the Code of Conduct for Digital TV Service Systems (since 2001) and the Code of Conduct for External Power Supplies (since 2003). In 2005, the first draft of a Code of Conduct for Broadband Equipment was presented at the stakeholder forum. Together, it is projected that these Codes of Conduct will save 20 TWh per year from 2010. This paper reports on the first results for the Codes of Conduct for Digital TV Service Systems and Power Supplies, based on data from participating manufacturers. Analysis of the data shows a considerable overall improvement in power consumption, not only in the standby modes but also in the on-mode. Furthermore, the paper shows how discussion with stakeholders based on a common road map provides guidelines for the continuous development of this innovative policy tool and leads to the efficient adoption of the new criteria required to mitigate the energy impact of the new features and functions in the product that are prompted by rapid technological development and market forces.

BERTOLDI Paolo;  HARRISON Robert;  SIDERIUS Hans Paul;  DALE Ken;  JAEKEL Michael; 

2006-12-12

ACEEE

JRC33573

https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC33573,