As of today, all new tablets and smartphones sold in the EU must include an energy efficiency label on their packaging. The sticker on the box is similar to those found on other consumer electronics sold in the EU/EEA. The main goal of the new regulation is to inform EU consumers and reduce CO2 emissions.
This regulation applies to all cordless phone (landlines), smartphones on cellular or satellite network, feature phones with no internet connection or third party apps, and tablets between 7 and 17 inches.
ENERGY stickers, as they are commonly called, feature a rating from A to G. A is the most efficient, and G is the least efficient. It displays seven pieces information:
- Overall energy efficiency class rating from A to G. Battery endurance per cycle (in minutes and hours) per full charge
- Repeated Free Fall reliability class (from A-E).
- Battery life in cycles.
- Repairability classes (from A to F).
- Rating of ingress protection.
Manufacturers must register their products at the European Product Registry for Energy Labelling managed by the European Commission.
All new devices sold in Europe will also have to meet five eco design criteria:
- Durability (19459026]: Devices must be resistant to accidental falls and protected from dust and water. Battery longevity: Batteries should be able to withstand at least 800 full charges and discharges while maintaining at least 80% their original capacity. Repairability: Manufacturers are required to make critical spare parts readily available within 5-10 working days and continue to offer them for seven years after the product has been discontinued in the EU.
- Support for software: Devices are required to receive operating system updates for at least five years after the end of sale date. Repair access: Professional repairers are entitled to non-discriminatory software and firmware.
Devices released before June 20th are exempted from the new labels. They also don’t apply for devices with rollable screens, smartphones designed for high security communications, and tablet computers with fully-featured operating system.
It’s important to note that the new battery life rating aspect is closely related to our own battery test, and uses software developed by French automation company SmartViser. This company now offers the same testing solution to device manufacturers.
Source.[196521]
