EU Tightens Energy Efficiency Requirements
The European Union has decided to apply tighter energy efficiency requirements to TV products starting from March 1 next year. For example, micro LED and 8K TVs must have an energy efficiency index of 0.9 or less. At present, Samsung Electronics’ and LG Electronics’ products in this category have an energy efficiency index of more than 0.9 without exception.
The requirements have been applied to 4K and less so far. Some companies raised an objection to the tighter regulations of the European Union, but it did not accept the objection.
To have an energy efficiency index of 0.9 or less, a 75-inch 8K TV is required to show an energy consumption of 141 watts or fewer per hour. Samsung Electronics’ 75-inch 8K TVs released this year consume at least 303 watts per hour and the figure is 219 watts in the case of LG Electronics’ products in the same category. Micro LED TVs’ energy consumption is much larger than that of 8K TVs.
Europe is where high-end TV products are sold in quantity. This year’s 8K TV shipments are estimated at 400,000 units and 30 percent of the total is forecast to be sold in Europe. This means both Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics may take a hit from the tighter regulations.