A Games Console is a computing device whose primary function is to play video games. Games Consoles may share many of the hardware architecture features and components found in general personal computers (e.g. central processing unit(s), system memory, video architecture, optical drives and/or hard drives or other forms of internal memory) and may include other secondary features such as optical disc player, digital video and picture viewing, digital music playback, etc.
Source: estimations from the Ecodesign Impact Accounting Overview Report 2023
Scope
The “Games Consoles” covered by this SRI are mains powered devices that:
- Utilise either dedicated handheld or other interactive controllers designed to enable game playing (rather than the mouse and keyboard used by personal computers);
- Are equipped with audio-visual outputs for use with external televisions as the primary display;
- Use dedicated Console operating systems (rather than using a conventional PC operating system); and
- Use either internal or dedicated external power supply units.
Unless otherwise specified, accessories or other devices that may be used with the console (e.g. external power supplies1, controllers or other input peripherals 2, including those supplied with Games Consoles, docking stations3 , etc.), external connecting cables (e.g. HDMI, USB, etc.) and game software are not included in the scope of this SRI.
Voluntary Agreement
Games consoles are covered by a voluntary agreement. A voluntary agreement is proposed by industry sectors and works as alternative to EU ecodesign regulations. Through this self-regulation, industries may achieve ecodesign objectives more quickly or at a lesser expense compared to mandatory requirements. The signatories to the agreement control its implementation.
The voluntary agreement for game consoles aims to reduce the environmental impact over the life cycle while also achieving energy savings through better design. It moreover sets the maximum power limit and auto-power for different mains-powered games consoles on the market of EU countries. It also sets requirements on energy efficiency (excluding the gaming mode), material efficiency and information for consumers.
The European Commission monitors and assesses the agreement as they need to fulfil some criteria of the Ecodesign Directive (2009/125/EC).
Together with industry partners, the Commission has made guidelines for self-regulation measures under the Ecodesign Directive.
The voluntary agreement is estimated to bring energy savings of 41TWh over the lifecycle of the last generation of games consoles.
Highlights
As a general trend, manufacturers launch a new version of their product every 6-8 years. In the gaming world, older consoles are soon ‘old fashioned’, no longer delivering the desired graphic performance. New technologies, better graphics and faster processing speed can be offered, but at the price of higher electricity consumption. Hence, new Games consoles models initially tend to consume more.
In the years following a new product launch, efficiency is then often gradually improved. This repeating product development cycle leads to ups and downs in the average annual electricity consumption per console.
Facts & Figures
This graphic shows the estimated sales, stock, energy consumption (primary, electric or fuel), greenhouse gas emissions, consumer expenses and business revenues for years 2010 and 2030. The estimated values inside the graph bars are those from the EIA ECO-scenario, they include the effects of ecodesign and energy labelling measures.
The difference with the business as usual (BAU) scenario without these estimated measures is shown next to the graph bar. These figures indicate the estimated savings obtained due to the measures.
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Product: Game Consoles Measures: VA 2015-2022, Regulation (EU) 2023/826 |
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SALES (x1000 units)  |
STOCK (x1000 units)  |
Electricity (TWh/a)  |
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GHG-EMISSION  |
CONSUMER EXPENSES  |
REVENUES  |
Source: estimations from the Ecodesign Impact Accounting Overview Report 2023
Expected Savings
Electricity consumption
The electricity consumption by games consoles increased from 4.7 TWh/a in 2010 to 5.1 TWh in 2020 and projected to decrease to 4.5 TWh in 2030. The initial rise is partly due to an increase in functionality (and thus power) of new models. As this added functionality becomes standard, technology improvements result in lower electricity consumption in following generations. Savings due to the VA and standby regulations are estimated to be stable at 4 TWh/a from 2020.
Source: estimations from the Ecodesign Impact Accounting Overview Report 2023
Documents
Policy
The Games Consoles Voluntary Agreement (also referred to as the Self-Regulatory Initiative, SRI) aims to reduce the environmental impact of games consoles over their life cycle and to achieve energy savings and material efficiency through better design, thus benefiting the environment without compromising console performance and gaming experience.
Find out more about the genesis of the Games Consoles Voluntary Agreement and its most significant milestones.