How to decipher the new energy label for smartphones?

You may have already seen it during your wanderings on the Internet or in stores, the new energy label of smartphones is now compulsory for products sold on the Old Continent. Central element of the new European sustainability indexthis label contains a good package of information synthesized in the form of simplified symbols.

If most are relatively explicit, the label hides more complexities than it seems. Here’s how to understand all the secrets.

Indices 1 and 2: energy efficiency

At first glance, the label is very similar to the one that is already found on washing machines or televisions. It also shares certain characteristics.

The first element is the consumption scale applicable to all smartphones. It is just a reminder to help locate the smartphone in question in the face of European Union requirements.

The second element gives the precise note that this smartphone obtained on energy efficiency tests. It is located opposite the applicable level and clearly indicates the energy class assigned to the product. Please note, this note only concerns energy efficiency, it does not constitute a global rating of sustainability which would take into account the other elements present on the label.

Clues 3, 4 and 5: Durability of the battery and falls resistance

The third element is simply a theoretical indication of telephone autonomy. Tests to assess the latter supposedly simulate normal use (with web navigation, streaming, calls, etc.) from 100 % to 0 % battery. It is these tests which make it possible to assess, in terms of the capacity of the battery and its endurance, the energy efficiency of the device in use and to give it the note listed above.

The 4th element gives a note between A and E concerning resistance to falls of the device in question. This note seeks to measure the “reliability“From a device after repeated falls. Depending on whether the device is resistant to 45, 90, 180 or 270 falls without malfunction, it will inherit the suitable note. Be careful, reliability is heard here. A broken screen will not penalize the note if”The tested unit remains fully functional“And maybe”safely used“.

The 5th logo estimates the number of load cycles before the battery capacity falls under 80 %. Lithium-ion batteries getting over time and over the rechargessuch information is essential to gauge sustainability of a long -term smartphone.

Index 6 and 7: reparability and waterproofing

The 6th indication estimates the ease of repair of the device in the event of a problem. Sort of cousin far from the French repairability indexthe latter is intended to replace it. Unlike the French note, no encrypted scoring, but just letters from A to E. Its rating method is based on 6 criteria, each noted on 5: the depth of disassembly, the score for fixing elements, for tools, spare parts, for software updates and information concerning repair.

If the rating grid resumes fairly widely what the repairability index had implemented, its reading is unfortunately less easy and explicit and, as supported by the supporters of the right to repairabilityThe Bancal Taking Prices for Parts Parts makes the project less ambitious than what had been planned in France.

Finally, and finally, The 7th element is simply the index of protection against penetrationbetter known as IP index. No surprise here, the specifications and known for a long time with the IPX7 and superior indices protecting phones against temporary immersion. The first figure indicates the resistance to the penetration of solid foreign objects (dust, sand, etc.).

A self-attributed note

In a concern for transparency, the specifications are detailed in broad and across On the legislation of the European Community. The battery discharge protocol is detailed there, the evaluation of the reliability of the device following the falls, the calculations concerning the repairability index and everything else.

It is nevertheless necessary to keep in testity that the tests are certainly supervised, but carried out by the manufacturers themselves. Random surveys are carried out by the consumer protection authorities (in France, the DGCCRF) to keep everyone finger on seam.

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