Battery chargers switch to low energy consumption mode 

EU member states approved a proposal to improve the energy performance of external power supplies (EPS) that converts power for household and office products such as mobile and cordless phones, notebook computers and modems.

The adoption of the new rules was hailed by EU Energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs, who said the measure would "drastically improve the energy performance of external power supplies, which everybody is using together with many household and office products".

The Commission predicts that the proposal will reduce electricity losses related to external power supplies by 30% by 2020, the "equivalent of Lithuania's yearly electricity consumption".

"It is a concrete contribution to reaching the EU's energy efficiency and climate protection targets, while saving citizens' money," Piebalgs said. 

Furthermore, the EU executive believes the measure may indirectly lead to energy savings in other parts of the world, as chargers are sold and used worldwide. 

The regulation will now be scrutinised by the European Parliament, and is scheduled for formal adoption in early 2009. 

The decision was adopted at a meeting of the Eco-design Regulatory Committee, which was created to adopt implementation measures following the adoption of the Eco-design directive in April 2005.

It follows a recent decision by EU ministers to ban conventional light bulbs by 2010 (EurActiv 14/10/08) and another to increase electricity performance of lighting equipment and television 'set-top' boxes (EurActiv 29/09/08).

Further eco-design measures for other product groups are expected in the coming months.