Standby settings likely to remain

Computer manufacturer HP does not believe that standby settings on computers, televisions and other devices such as DVD players will be outlawed by proposed EU legislation.

These are some of the gadgets targeted by Brussels in a new legislative drive aimed at getting people to turn off their energy consuming "vampire appliances".

Manufacturers will have five years - until 2012 - in which to get their products to the required standards. They could also be forced to label the energy efficiency of their products so consumers decide to opt for low-energy models.

The proposed regulations would impose EU standards globally because manufacturers seeking to sell their products in the EU would have to comply with these "minimum energy performance standards".

If they do not they will be unable to export their products and sell them within the EU.

But one of the problems, according to HP, is there is still a need to define these industry standards. Until this happens companies will not be able to explain the energy savings that their devices offer or label them effectively, the company said.

Also some devices, such as TV set-top boxes need to remain on standby, either to receive upgrades or to record set programmes.

Therefore HP does not believe that standby, sleep or hibernation settings will be totally outlawed.

Zoe McMahon, HP's strategy and sustainability manager for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said: "We are talking to Brussels but we need a universally agreed standards and definitions. For example, what exactly does a manufacturer mean by standby; how much power will a device use in these settings?"

She also said that power-management features on devices such as PCs means in some cases huge changes to devices will not be needed. The problem is educating consumers as many do not make the best use of these features.

A recent survey from the Energy Saving Trust backs this up. Although it found that nine in 10 people surveyed would would be prepared to pay more for green gadgets, the organisation also found that many people still do not realise how much energy they needlessly waste by leaving electrical devices on standby.

For example, in its report, The Rise of the Machines, it found a significant proportion of the population leaves mobile phone chargers plugged in. This continues to waste energy all of the time even though people believe the charger is inactive.

In total the organisation has estimated that the average British household pays around £37 a year to keep electrical goods in standby mode. This is thought to amount to the energy equivalent to the output of two 700MW power stations.

HP has had a design for environment programme since 1992 and one of its top priorities is energy efficiency. The company now has over 1,000 products rated with its Energy Star power saving programme, so the Brussels move has come as no surprise.

But Zoe McMahon believes companies still have a way to go to get the energy saving message across to consumers.

She said: "At the moment, however, there is not that much incentive for them to change so we have to get the balance right. There is no doubt it is a real challenge but we have been working on this for some time.

"So while we need to get the most efficient technology to market, there can't be too much of an adverse financial impact on consumers."