On March 13, 2020, China notified the Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade of the World Trade Organization of its intention to revise the efficiency standard for flat-panel TV set and set-top boxes, i.e. the minimum allowable values of energy efficiency and energy efficiency grades for flat-panel televisions and set-top boxes (Draft for approval) (“Standard”). The member states were given 60 days to comment, and the comments will be delivered to the drafting agency for further review and revision. According to the standard drafting schedule provided by Administrative Measures on Mandatory National Standards, the Standard is expected to be issued late this year and in-scope products will be given a one-year grace period for compliance.

This Standard applies to LCD TVs and organic light-emitting diode TVs that work normally under AC 220 V, 50 Hz power supply conditions, with terrestrial, cable, satellite, or other analogs, digital signal reception, demodulation, and display as the main function TV as well as LCD and organic light-emitting diode display devices whose main function is a TV without a tuner; and set-top boxes that work normally under AC 220 V, 50 Hz power supply conditions, including wired set-top boxes, terrestrial set-top boxes, satellite set-top boxes, and network set-top boxes. Direct broadcast satellite set-top boxes are excluded. The in-scope product is required to comply with the energy efficiency requirements provided in the Standard.

This Standard is a revision of standards GB 24850-2013 and GB 25957-2010. In comparison with the old standards, this Standard made some significant changes, mainly:

• Adjusts the energy efficiency evaluation index and creates five energy efficiency level requirements for flat-panel TVs

• Adjusts the requirement for the energy efficiency levels of set-top boxes

• Adds additional functions and corresponding power consumption of set-top boxes

• Adds testing methods and steps for network set-top boxes