The Eco Design Directive (2009/125/EC) has been gradually introducing new measures that set out new eco design and CE Marking requirements for Energy related Products (ErP). The Official Journal page for Energy related Products is being kept up to date with the current implementing measures, and as of the 1st July 2014, there are new implementing measures for computers and computer servers.
Commission Regulation (EU) No. 617/2013 came into force on the 17th July 2013 and applies to mains powered computers, including desktops, notebooks, tablet computers and workstations, as well as small-scale and computer servers (as defined with the Regulation). The Regulation is being implemented in 3 phases and in the first set, manufacturers were required to incorporate a power management (or similar) function into their systems and were also required to meet the eco design requirements for the lowest power state.
The second phase, which came into force on the 1st July 2014, covers energy consumptions, sleep and off modes, internal power supply efficiency and power management functions, as well as information to be supplied. The final set, is due to come into force on the 1st January 2016, which sees the requirements for energy consumptions reduced. For example, from 1st July 2014 the total energy consumption for a category A computer shall not exceed 133,00 kWh/year, which will be reduced to 94,00 kWh/year from 1st January 2016 onwards.
Manufacturers must demonstrate conformity by following either the ‘Internal Design Control’ module or the ‘Management Systems’ module, both described within Annex IV and Annex V within the Eco Design Directive (2009/125/EC).
Before the products can be placed on the market the manufacturer must complete a Declaration of Conformity and affix the CE mark onto the product. In reality, since computers and computer servers are already covered by other CE marking Legislation, this is more likely to be a task of updating existing Declarations and technical files to also cover these new eco requirements.
Should you need assistance with CE marking computers or computer servers, then please contact the CE Marking Association on 01527 595066.
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