Game consoles

It is a fact that game consoles are increasingly powerful in terms of game experience. However, this should not come with ever increasing energy consumption, especially when the console is only performing a secondary function (such as surfing on the internet or playing a DVD). Despite efforts from some manufacturers, the electricity consumed by game consoles in Europe could grow by 50% in 2020. Progress is achievable, including on other environmental aspects such as recyclability and toxic content.

What does the coolproducts campaign want?
•    A cap on the electricity consumption of game consoles, both in the short term for existing models and longer term for the next generations of consoles. The cap should at least cover the standby, media play, idle and menu navigation modes.
•    A mandatory auto-power down feature on all consoles, driving the product into standby after a latency period. It should be designed to allow the games to be saved and restored.
•    A limitation of the use of toxic chemicals and a provision to increase the dismantability and recyclability of consoles.
•    Better information for consumers. It is very difficult to know the environmental performance of a console.
•    To be fair, similar requirements should be set on gaming PCs and other competing products.

What’s the European Union doing and what’s our position?
Game consoles are part of a ‘sound & imaging equipment’ product category to be regulated by EU Ecodesign requirements. A preparatory technical study has been completed in 2010 and discussions are starting on the level of ambition. Concrete documents are expected before the end of 2011.
Members of the coolproducts campaign have already engaged with the main console manufacturers to try to come up with compromises.

(Last update: July 2011)

Further reading
- A fact sheet on game consoles from US environmental NGO N.R.D.C.
- A report by Greenpeace on the toxicity of game consoles
- Find out more about the EU Ecodesign process on our expert pages