Computers and monitors
MEPS for computers and monitors will be implemented on 1 October 2013 when the Standard is incorporated into regulation. From this time, monitors are expected to be supplied with an energy rating label. Once the regulations have been amended they will be available on www.legislation.govt.nz
These standards and energy rating label aim to increase the efficiency of computers, notebooks and monitors by:
- providing better consumer information to inform energy choices
- encouraging industry to continually improve the energy efficiency of their products, and
- preventing poorly performing products from entering the market.
The standards are designed so that a wide range of computers, monitors and laptops would still be available which require less energy to perform the same function. Extra power allowances have been built in to the proposed standards to account for products with features which need more power, like graphics.
Why have standards for computers and monitors?
Computer ownership in New Zealand continues to grow and, as a result, their energy consumption is becoming more important to the economy. While efficient technology is widely available globally, it's less so in New Zealand. This represents significant opportunities for energy performance improvements in this product category.
In 2010, home computers and office ICT accounted for around 3% of New Zealand's total electricity use - more than the energy use of a city the size of Hamilton.
Improved efficiency will give consumers a more efficient range of products to choose from, saving on running costs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions over the life of the products.
Submissions on the discussion document on these standards for computers closed on 15 November 2011, but you can still download it for review.
>> Download the discussion document.
Requirements for computers
From 1 October 2013, computers must be registered on www.energyrating.gov.au before they are available for sale. Computers must meet the requirements of the Standard AS/NZS 5813.2. They must be tested to the Standard AS/NZS 5813.1. Standards can be purchased from www.standards.co.nz.
There is no cost to register products in New Zealand. Non-compliant computer stock imported into, or manufactured in New Zealand before October 2013 may continue to be sold. Second-hand sales are not covered by the Regulations.
The MEPS will cover all computers that are imported or manufactured in New Zealand for sale or hire, including:
- desktop computers
- notebooks
- small scale servers.
The following computers do not need to comply with MEPS:
- personal digital assistants (PDAs)
- palmtop computers and smartphones
- games consoles
- blade, slate or thin client computers
- workstations
- computers that are not connected to mains voltage or by external power supply.
For further details on meeting the MEPS requirements see the factsheets for computers and computer monitors.
Alternative requirements for small production runs
There will be "deemed-to-comply" provisions for computer models where less than 200 units are manufactured per year. The model must be registered on the energy rating website. However it will be exempt from typical energy consumption (TEC) requirements if it uses an internal power supply that meets the standard below, or an external power meeting the requirements of energy performance mark V.
- AS/NZS 5814.1:2012 sets out Method of Measurement for internal power supplies.
- AS/NZS 4665.1:2005 sets out the test method and energy performance mark for external power supplies.
There is no requirement to register the internal power supply, however it must qualify as an internal power supply that meets or exceeds:
- 85 per cent efficiency when tested at 20 per cent of rated power;
- 88 per cent efficiency when tested at 50 per cent of rated power;
- 85 per cent efficiency when tested at 100 per cent of rated power; and
- power factor of 0.9 when tested at 100 per cent of rated power.
Monitor standards
MEPS and labelling for computer monitors is planned for implementation on 1 October 2013. The standards are intended to cover all computer monitors that are imported or manufactured in New Zealand for sale or hire, that are up to 152 cm (measured diagonally across).
Monitors up to 76 cm across must comply with MEPS (in on mode) and labelling.
Larger monitors (between 76 cm and 152 cm across) only need to display an energy rating label and meet standby levels (1W when off, 2W on standby).
The following monitors will not need to comply with MEPS and labelling:
- Monitors larger than 152 cm across.
- Products with an integrated television tuner are classified as televisions and are already subject to MEPS and labelling.
- Electronic displays used exclusively for digital signage, advertising or digital picture frames.
- High performance or specialised electronic displays.
- Displays used in public settings.
- Electronic labelling is not accepted for displaying energy rating labels to comply with regulatory requirements.
From October 2013, monitors will need to be registered on www.energyrating.gov.au, and be supplied with an energy rating label. They will need to meet the requirements of the Standard AS/NZS 5815.2 and be tested to the Standard AS/NZS 5815.1. Standards can be purchased from www.standards.co.nz or www.saiglobal.com.
More information
The blue ENERGY STAR mark can be found on efficient computers, monitors and laptops - find out more about the ENERGY STAR programme.
