Canada's Energy Efficiency Regulations

Standby Power Consumption

Updated bulletin on Amending the Standards

(Amended) – July 2009

ecoACTION

Standby Power and TV active mode reporting

Natural Resources Canada's (NRCan's) Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE), is proposing to amend Canada's Energy Efficiency Regulations (the Regulations) to prescribe certain products that use standby power as energy-using products, and to establish minimum energy performance standards for them. In particular, the amendment will affect the following products: (1) Compact Audio Products, (2) Televisions, (3) Video Playing/Recording Products, (4) Computer Printers, and (5) Multifunction Devices. The Regulations apply to products imported or shipped interprovincially for sale or lease in Canada. This amendment is included in Canada’s Clean Air Regulatory Agenda and the accompanying Notice of Intent as published in the Canada Gazette on October 21, 2006.

Dealers of energy using products that are imported or shipped inter-provincially for sale or lease in Canada would be required to comply with minimum energy performance standards and other regulatory requirements.

Purpose of this Document

There are two purposes for this bulletin. First of all, this is the second bulletin on standby power, which provides an update to the original bulletin issued in January 2009, based on feedback from stakeholders, discussions at the Standby Power Regulation Workshop held in January, and research by NRCan. Changes to the proposed regulation are noted in the text boxes entitled “Revisions/Rationale”. NRCan is soliciting feedback from stakeholders on the content of this revised proposal, and in particular:

  1. Proposed off mode limits
  2. Defining the distinction between a fax machine and multifunction device
  3. Defining the difference between professional video and audio equipment and general household equipment.
  4. Defining the difference between industrial printing equipment versus commercial and household equipment.
  5. How to distinguish an Imaging product that is capable of networking, versus an Imaging product that isn’t.
  6. Opinions on a reasonable time delay for products to go from an idle mode to an off or standby mode
  7. Is a special (higher) standby power allowance required for multifunction devices with fax capability?

The second purpose of this bulletin is to introduce the proposed requirement to report average active mode power consumption of televisions. The active mode power will not be regulated, but providing the active mode power data will in the energy efficiency report will be required.

Revisions/Rationale:

1) The requirement to report active power for televisions has been added. Note that the active power level is not being regulated, however the requirement to report active power is being regulated.

Depending on the nature of the comments received, NRCan may initiate further consultation and subsequent bulletins.

This bulletin attempts to put the proposed amendment in plain language. The legal text of the amendment will be as pre-published in the Canada Gazette, Part I.

Background

The Energy Efficiency Regulations, which came into effect in February 1995, are administered by NRCan and reference energy efficiency standards that must be used to ensure that products comply with the minimum requirements of the Regulations. There are various definitions of standby power. The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) defines standby power is the lowest level of electricity consumed by appliances, which cannot be switched off (influenced) by the user, and may persist for an indefinite time when an appliance is connected the main electricity supply. In 1997, the International Energy Agency (IEA) introduced the “1 Watt Plan”, which proposed that all countries harmonize to reduce standby power in all equipment to less than one watt by 2010. On July, 2005 at the Gleneagles Summit in Scotland, the G8 countries signed an endorsement to, among other things, “promote the application of the IEA’s 1 Watt Initiative”.

On July 23, 2007, the Honourable Gary Lunn, Minister of Natural Resources, announced that Canada will put in place standards to limit the amount of power consumed by products in standby mode.

The European Union (EU) approved a regulation on December 17, 2008 that sets power limits for standby mode and off mode power consumption for a wide range of products used in a domestic environment. The EU regulation also requires that, products must automatically go into off or standby mode. Canada is considering a similar style regulation for compact audio products, televisions and video products in a two-tiered format. The Canadian regulation will cover products used in commercial and residential applications.

Canada is also proposing a standby power limits for printers and multifunction devices (Imaging Equipment). Standby mode for these products will be comparable to the ENERGY STAR® definition, where “off mode” can be considered a form of standby power (that is, “the lowest power consumption mode that can be influenced by the user”).

Revisions/Rationale:

1. Canada wants to adopt a European style standby power regulation that applies limits for off mode, as well as a dual standby mode. This will apply to audio and video products and TVs.

2. After the release of the first Standby Bulletin, printer and MFD manufacturers expressed concerns that sleep mode was being considered standby, whereas the industry considered “off” as a standby mode (in line with ENERGY STAR). This proposal uses the ENERGY STAR definition of standby mode for Imaging Equipment.

Definitions:

On mode for TVs means the appliance is connected to a power source and produces sound and a picture.

Off mode for TVs means the appliance is connected to a mains power source, produces neither sound nor picture (nor provides any mechanical function if applicable), and cannot be switched into any other mode with the remote control unit, timer or internal or external signal.

Standby mode for TV’s means the appliance is connected to a mains power source, produces neither sound nor picture (nor provides any mechanical function, nor produces audio or visual output signals, if applicable), but can be switched into another mode with the remote control unit or timer or internal signal, and/or provides an information or status display.

Off mode for video equipment means the appliance is connected to a mains power source, does not perform any mechanical function (e.g. playing, recording) and cannot be switched into any other mode with the remote control unit, timer, or internal or external sensor.

Standby mode for video equipment means the appliance is connected to a mains power source, does not perform any mechanical function (eg. playing, recording) does not produce video or audio output signals, but can be switched into another mode with the remote control unit, internal sensor or timer, and/or provides information or status display.

Off mode for audio equipment means the appliance is connected to a mains power source, does neither produce sound nor perform any mechanical function (eg. playing, recording) and cannot be switched into another mode with a remote control unit, internal or external sensor, or timer.

Standby mode for audio equipment means the appliance is connected to a mains power source, produces neither sound nor performs any mechanical functions (eg. playing, recording) but can be switched into another mode with a remote control unit, internal sensor or timer, and/or provides information or status display.

Standby mode for printers and multifunction devices means the lowest power consumption mode which cannot be switched off (influenced) by the user, and that may persist for an indefinite time when the product is connected to the main electricity supply. The product cannot exit standby mode and reach a lower power state unless it is physically disconnected from the main electricity supply as a result of manual manipulation.

Information or Status Display means a continuous function providing information or indicating the status of the equipment on a display, including clocks.

Revisions/Rationale:

1. Provide more specific definitions of standby power for each product type.

2. Provide an off mode definition for audio products, video products and TVs.

3. Include on mode definition for televisions for average on mode power reporting requirements.

4. The EU regulation for standby requires an off and/or standby mode power level. However, the EU regulation tries to cover a large variety of products, and thus tries to cover all these products with one “generic” definition. Since the Canadian regulation covers five product categories, dedicated definitions have been developed, similar to the IEC-62087 standard for consumer electronics and IEC-62301 for Imaging Equipment.

Product Descriptions

All products being regulated for standby mode and off mode power must:

  1. be a single, self-contained, functional unit, and be intended for the end user. That is, the product is ready to plug in (power, inputs and outputs) and perform it’s functions.
  2. be dependent on energy input from the mains as at least one means of power, in order to work as intended,
  3. be designed to work on a single phase nominal voltage of 240 volts or lower.

Revisions/Rationale:

1. Added more detail on the scope of the products as requested by stakeholders.

2. Paragraph A may capture an exemption for “professional equipment”, since professional equipment may not come ready to “plug and play”, but may require further installation by a trades person. Comments on this issue are encouraged from stakeholders.

3. In paragraph C, requiring a single phase voltage below 240V ensures that industrial products are not covered under the regulation as requested by stakeholders.

NRCan is proposing that the Regulations will apply to products using off mode and/or standby mode power, for the following product groups:

Compact Audio Products – include clock radios, portable stereos and integrated stereos. An integrated stereo, (also known as a mini, mid, micro or shelf audio system), is an integrated audio system encased in a single housing that includes an amplifier and radio tuner, attached or separable speaker, and can reproduce audio from one or more of the following media: magnetic tape, compact disk (CD), DVD, or flash memory. A portable stereo is similar to an integrated stereo, typically with attached speakers, and runs on battery power when not hooked to an electrical outlet. These include docking stations for sigital audio players. “Compact audio products” do not include products that have a powered external satellite antenna, or that can provide a video output signal.

Revisions/Rationale:

1) Clarify that clock radios are considered compact audio which aligns with align with the California Energy Commission and ENERGY STAR.

Television (TV) – means a product consisting of a monitor, which may or may not have a tuner/receiver, encased in a single housing, which is designed to receive and display an analog or digital audio/video signal received from a terrestrial, satellite, cable, Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) or other transmission source. Televisions include multifunction TVs which have built-in VCR, DVD, digital video recorder (DVR) or electronic program guide (EPG) functions, or which have a point of deployment (POD) card slot. Televisions that are Public Alert CEA2009A certified are exempted.

Revisions/Rationale:

1) Use of language similar to the proposed regulation from California and the current ENERGY STAR standard.

2) Exemption for CEA2009A certified products.

Video product – means a electronic product encased in a single housing that includes a power supply, and for which the primary purpose is to produce or record digital or analog signals to and/or from video tape, reflective disc, hard drive or other storage medium. Video Products include products such as DVD players/recorders, VCR players/recorders, digital video player/recorders, Blue Ray players/recorders or a combination of these technologies.

Printers – means a commercially-available imaging product that serves as a hard copy output device, and is capable of receiving information from single-user or networked computers, or other input devices (e.g. digital cameras). The unit must be capable of being powered from a wall outlet or from a data or network connection. This definition is intended to cover products that are marketed as printers, including printers that can be upgraded into MFD’s in the field. Large format printers are excluded from this regulation.

Facsimile (Fax) machine – an imaging product whose primary function is scanning hard copy originals for electronic transmission to remote units and receiving similar electronic transmissions to product hard copy output. Electronic transmission is primarily over a public telephone system, but also may be via computer network or the Internet. The product may be capable of producing hard copy duplicates. The unit must be capable of being powered from a wall outlet or from a data or network connection. This definition is intended to cover products that are marketed as fax machines.

Multifunction devices (MFD’s) – means an imaging product, which is a physically-integrated device or a combination of functionally integrated components, that performs two or more of the core functions of copying, printing, scanning, or faxing. The copy functionality as addressed in this definition is considered to be distinct from single sheet convenience copying offered by fax machines. The unit must be capable of being powered from mains outlet or from a data or network connection. This definition is intended to cover products that are marketed as MFDs or multifunction products (MFP’s). Fax machines are not considered MFDs. Large format MFDs are excluded from this regulation.

Revisions/Rationale:

1. Added the definition of fax machine in order to clarify the exclusion of fax machines from the MFD definition.

2. Clarify that MFDs do not include fax machines.

3. Modified the definition of printers to exclude large format products. Modified Table 1 below, which formerly specified “small and medium size format”.

4. Modified the definition of MFDs to exclude large format products. Large format MFDs are excluded to be consistent with the ENERGY STAR 1.0 standard for Imaging Equipment.

Printer and Multifunction Device Size Formats:

Large format – Printers and MFDs designed for A2 media and larger, including those designed to accommodate continuous-form media at a width of 406 millimetres or wider. Large format products may also be capable of printing on standard-size or small-size formats.

Small format – Printers and MFDs designed for media sizes smaller than those defined as Standard (e.g. A6, 4"x6", microfilm), including those designed to accommodate continuous-form media at widths smaller than 210mm.

Standard format – Printers and MFDs designed for standard-sized media (e.g. letter, legal, ledger, A3, A4, B4) including those designed to accommodate continuous-form media at widths between 210mm and 406mm. Standard-size products may also be capable of printing on small-format media.

Revisions/Rationale:

Added definitions of paper formats for printers and MFDs, since paper format affects which products are covered.

Energy Performance Test Procedure

CAN/CSA-C62301-07: Household electrical appliances – Measurement of standby power, will be the reference test procedure for the standby power of these products.

The standard can be ordered from:

Canadian Standards Association

5060 Spectrum Way, Suite 100

Mississauga ON

L4W 5N6
Tel.: 1-800-463-6727

In Toronto, call 747-4000
Web site

IEC 62087:2008, Methods of Measurement for the Power Consumption of Audio, Video and Related Equipment, will be the reference test procedure for the Average On Mode power for televisions.

The standard can be ordered from:

International Electrotechnical Commission
Web site

Revisions/Rationale:

1. Addition of the IEC test method for measuring the Average On Mmode power of televisions.

Energy Performance Standards

The proposed energy efficiency limits for standby power will be as per the limits shown in Table 1 and Table 2. Products must comply with off mode and/or standby mode limits.

Table 1: Tier 1 (2010) Power Limits

Product Type Off
Mode
Limit		 Standby
Mode
Limit		 Energy
Management
Compact Audio Products 1W 3W All products must have an off
mode and/or standby mode
available.
Televisions 1W 4W
Video Products 1W 3W
Printers n/a 2W
Multi-Function Devices n/a 4W

Table 2: Tier 2 (2013) Power Limits

Product Type Off
Mode
Limit		 Standby Mode
Limit		 Energy
Management
With
Display		 Without
Display
Compact Audio Products 0.5W 1W 0.5W All products, except MFD's
with fax capability, must
automatically go into off
mode or standby mode, after
a reasonable period of time
(to be determined).
Televisions 0.5W 1W 0.5W
Video Products 0.5W 1W 0.5W
Printers n/a 1W
Multi-Function Devices n/a 2W



Revisions/Rationale:

1. Tier 1 and Tier 2 effective dates have been moved out, and align better with the EU’s effective dates.

2. Off mode power limit added to audio products, TVs and video products, which harmonizes with the EU regulation.

3. Two-level standby limit added to audio products, TVs and video products, which aligns with the EU regulation.

4. No off mode limits is specified for printers and MFDs, since the since manufacturers of these products consider off mode to be a standby mode, as per the ENERGY STAR specification.

5. For compact audio, Tier 1 standby power was increased to allow extra power for permanently illuminated clocks.

6. Multifunction devices have a larger standby limit to allow for fax functionality while in standby mode.

7. The Tier 1 Energy Management Requirement, that is, the need for a mandatory off mode and/or standby mode to be available, is added, which is comparable to the EU regulation.

8. The Tier 2 standby power requirements for audio products, TVs and video products now includes two levels; one level for reactivation functions, and a second level if no display is available on the product. This is comparable to the EU regulation.

9. The Tier 2 Energy Management Requirement, that is, the requirement to go into off or standby mode after a given period of time, will ensure that the products are forced to go into the lowest possible power mode when not in use. The amount of time that products must be idle, before energy management engages, will have to be addressed through consultations with stakeholders. MFDs with a fax function are exempt from the energy management requirement, since fax capability is typically required 24/7.

Effective Date

NRCan is proposing that the Tier 1 energy efficiency performance standards for standby power, as set out in Table 1, will apply to products manufactured after July 1, 2010. The effective date for the Tier 2 standards in Table 2 will be applied to products manufactured after January 1, 2013.

The effective date of the proposed regulations is after the date of registration of the amendment to the Regulations, as published in the Canada Gazette, Part II. This is expected to occur early in 2010.

Revisions/Rationale:

Effective dates have been pushed back. The Tier 1 date allows stakeholders more time to prepare for the regulation. Tier 2 lines up with the second tier of the European regulation.

Labelling Requirements

NRCan is not proposing mandatory EnerGuide labelling requirements in the regulation for standby power-consuming products listed in Table #1 at this time.

Reporting Requirements

1) Energy Efficiency Report:

An energy efficiency report for each product model must be submitted once (per model) to NRCan prior importation into Canada or shipment between provinces. An electronic form for this report will be sent to stakeholders prior to the effective date of the regulation. The energy efficiency report for all the standby power-consuming products listed in Table 1 will include the following information:

  1. product type, as listed in Table 1
  2. brand name
  3. model number
  4. manufacturer’s name
  5. name of the organization or province that carried out the verification and authorized the verification mark that will appear on the product
  6. off mode power consumption in Watts (if applicable)
  7. standby mode power consumption in Watts (if applicable)
  8. type of display if applicable (LED, LCD, Other, N/A)
  9. time (in minutes) the product remains inactive, before going into off mode, or standby mode (applicable to Tier  2 only).

Note: A single model number may cover a family of models. There needs to be a clear link between the model number as verified by the certification body and the model as shipped. Model number place holders (*, **, or # etc.) for features that do not affect energy efficiency such as colour and finish can be used. These are located preferably toward the end of submitted model numbers/names.

Revisions/Rationale:

1. Clarify that a suggested template of the energy efficiency report will be supplied by NRCan prior the regulation becoming effective.

2. Stress that the report is required once per model, prior to the product being imported.

3. Addition of off mode power consumption

4. Addition of alternative power mode consumption

5. Add the requirement to show the amount of time the product is inactive before going to off or standby modes.

6. Add clarification in bulletin of model number and use of a “family” of model numbers.

Table #3 displays product-specific reporting information that will be required:

Product Type Specific Reporting Requirements
Compact Audio Products 1. Type of audio product (e.g. integrated stereo, digital audio player, docking station, portable stereo, clock radio, etc.)
Televisions 1. Type of technology (e.g. cathode ray tube, LCD, plasma, projection, etc.)

2. Average on mode power as per IEC62087.

3. Screen size (in2 or cm2)
Video Products 1. Type of technology (e.g. DVD, VCR, Blue Ray, recording/non-recording)
Printers 1. Type of technology (e.g. electrophotography, ink jet, impact, etc.)

2. Size format (small or standard sized)
Multifunction Devices 1. The types of functions that are incorporated into the device (e.g. printer, copier, scanner, etc.)

2. Type of printing technology (e.g. inkjet, electrophotography, etc.)

3. Size format (small or standard sized)



Revisions/Rationale:

1. Added the reporting of average on mode power for televisions.

2) Importing Report:

Dealers/importers must provide the following information on import documents:

  • name of product (As listed in Table #1.)
  • model number
  • brand name (if any)
  • address of the importer
  • purpose of the importation (i.e. for sale or lease in Canada; for modification; for export)

This is not a separate report per sé, but is information that must be included on the usual customs release documents that are presented to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) for clearance of each shipment. Typically your customs broker will provide this information electronically to CBSA for each regulated product in an import shipment.

Revisions/Rationale:

1. Provide more details about the Importing Report.

Verification Requirements

The same verification requirements that apply to other products regulated under the Energy Efficiency Act will apply to products using standby power (specifically, the products listed in Table #1) [/regulations/].

These products will carry a verification mark indicating that the energy performance of the product has been verified. The verification mark is the mark of a Standards Council of Canada (SCC) accredited certification organization that administers an energy performance verification program for this product.

Third party verification from an SCC accredited body is required of all products with minimum performance requirements covered under the Canadian Energy Efficiency Regulations. Within this context, the certification body ensures the integrity of its mark and that of the performance information posted on its web site, by setting up a program that offers the appropriate level of oversight. This is done through: witness testing, reviewing test results, performing random tests on the products, specifying the level and frequency of testing and record keeping, conducting plant visits to review quality and marking control measures, and challenge testing etc. Currently, product testing must be done in a laboratory that meets ISO/IEC 17025 (this could be a manufacturer’s lab qualified by the certification body).

The certification bodies currently approved for energy performance verification are:

Canadian Standards Association International

Underwriters Laboratories Inc.

Intertek Testing Services NA Ltd.

Intertek Testing Services NA, Inc.

OMNI-Test Laboratories Inc.

Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI)

QPS Evaluation Services Inc.

Revisions/Rationale:

Additional information on the third party verification process, as requested by stakeholders.

Harmonization

NRCan attempts, as much as possible, to harmonize with other regulatory agencies:

Standby and Off Mode Definitions: For compact audio, TVs and video products, the definitions are based on IEC 62087, but include display functionality in the standby definition. For Imaging Equipment, the standby definition is based on IEC-62301, and includes off mode as a standby mode as per the ENERGY STAR standard for Imaging Equipment.

Product Definitions/Scope – the scope for compact audio, TVs and video products was based on the California and ENERGY STAR definitions, but are not exactly the same. That is, a greater variety of products are covered, and combination products are covered. The definitions for Imaging Equipment are based on ENERGY STAR definitions.

Test Procedure – is CAN/CSA-C62301-07: It was approved by consensus, and is harmonized with the International Electrotechnical Committee’s standard CEI/IEC-62301: Household Electrical Appliances – Measurement of Standby Power.

Energy Performance Standards – Tier 1 standby levels for audio, TV and video products are comparable to the levels set out in California’s 2007 Appliance Efficiency Regulation (CEC-400-2007-016-REV1). Tier 1 levels for Imaging Equipment are double the values required by ENERGY STAR’s limits for products approved through the Operating Mode Approach. The requirement for the availability of an off mode and/or standby mode for all products is in line with the EU’s Tier 1 requirements.

– The Tier 2 requirement for an off mode two standby power levels for products with or without displays (for audio, TVs and video) is in line with the EU’s Tier 2 requirements. The power levels are the same as the EU requirements. The power levels for Imaging equipment are equal to the ENERGY STAR limits for Imaging Equipment products (Version 1.) approved through the Operating Mode Approach. The requirement to automatically go into off and/or standby mode is in line with Tier 2 of the EU’s regulation. MFDs with fax function are exempted, since they typically are required 24/7. This is in line with the EU’s requirement that power management is required “unless inappropriate for the intended use”.

Effective Date – The Tier 1 effective date falls after the EU effective date, to allow manufacturers time to meet Canadian requirements for third party verification and energy efficiency labelling requirements. The Tier 2 effective date aligns with the EU effective date for their second tier.

Revisions/Rationale:

1) Expand on how the Canadian regulation is similar to other regulations and standards.

Comments Invited

The purpose of this update is to provide stakeholders with additional details and revisions to proposed amendment, as it will apply to products using standby power; specifically, the products listed in Table #1. The full legal text will be pre-published in the Canada Gazette Part I, which will amend the official Regulations when published in the Canada Gazette Part II. Please send your comments, no later than August 12, 2009, to:

Office of Energy Efficiency

580 Booth Street, 18th Floor

Ottawa, Ontario, K1A-0E4
E-mail