What are the new energy conservation standards for external power supplies?

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has recently proposed new energy conservation standards for External Power Supplies (EPSs). These proposed standards, known as Trial Standard Level 4 (TSL4), aim to tighten energy efficiency requirements across all types of EPSs. TSLs are a tool used by the DOE to set energy conservation benchmarks.

What are the labeling requirements for external power supplies?

Labeling requirements will be mandated to meet the same International Eficiency Marking Protocol for External Power Supplies Version 3.0 as the previous Level V standard. Globally, it is expected that other nations will soon follow suit with the DoE Level VI standard.

Do external power supplies have a power efficiency mandate?

At a global level, mandates for power efficiency exist for most consumer electronics and home appliances. External power supplies have had regulations dating back to 2004, when the California Energy Commission created one of the first mandates for efficiency of external power supplies used to power appliances or consumer electronic devices.

Do all external power supplies meet eficiency levels?

While many countries are establishing voluntary programs harmonized to the international eficiency marking protocol system first established by Energy Star, the following countries and regions now have regulations in place mandating that all external power supplies shipped across their borders meet the specified eficiency level:

Are all external power supplies treated the same?

Not all external power supplies are treated the same and exemptions exist in both the United States and the European Union. In the US, Congress has written provisions into section 301 of EISA 2007 that exclude some types of external power supplies. These are devices that:

When will external power supplies become law?

Although there is not an oficial timeline for these voluntary standards becoming law, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) who design external power supplies into their products would best be served to future-proof their designs to the latest regulations to ensure that they are in compliance in each region where their product is sold.