The energy efficiency standard for monitors, GB 21520-2023, will officially come into effect on June 1, 2024. This standard replaces GB 21520-2015, "Minimum Allowable Values of Energy Efficiency and Energy Efficiency Grades for Computer Monitors." The main changes and impacts are as follows:
Wideer Scope of Application: This standard applies to general-purpose and commercial monitors with a screen diagonal size of not less than 40cm, powered by AC or DC, and using liquid crystal display (LCD) or organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays. It also applies to integrated display terminals powered by AC or DC, using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as the display method, with a pixel pitch greater than 0.30mm and not greater than 2.60mm, and a maximum brightness not exceeding 3000 cd/m².
Specific Products: Laptops, televisions, and various commercial monitors are all subject to this standard.
Unapplicable Types: Professional-purpose monitors, dual-screen monitors, and monitors that only support battery power.
Reasons for Revision: With technological advancements, the market share of touch-enabled display devices, high-resolution, large-size commercial display devices is gradually increasing. OLED displays have entered the market, and LED displays are developing rapidly, necessitating industry standardization. Simultaneously, major developed countries have established energy efficiency standards for displays. To improve the overall energy efficiency level of the market, China is including more types of displays within its standards.
Numerous Revisions:
High-Performance Display Technical Requirements: The technical requirements for high-performance displays have been revised and updated, and technical requirements for high-performance OLED and LED integrated display terminals have been added.
State Definitions and Power Requirements: The definitions of "off state" and "sleep state" have been modified, and the power requirements for LCD and OLED displays have been revised. For example, the power consumption of LCD and OLED displays in sleep state should be less than or equal to 0.50W, and the power consumption of high-performance LCD and OLED displays in sleep state should be less than or equal to 0.80W. For LCD and OLED displays with an off state, the power consumption in off state should be less than or equal to 0.40W, and for high-performance LCD and OLED displays with an off state, the power consumption in off state should be less than or equal to 0.60W.
Test Method Modifications: The test distance has been changed from "1m between the luminance meter and the monitor" to "3 times the screen height between the luminance meter and the monitor." Regulations related to DC power supply have been added. Standard test conditions and energy efficiency-related test methods for OLED monitors and LED all-in-one PCs have been added, and test methods for horizontal viewing angle, inherent resolution, color gamut coverage, and contrast ratio of high-performance LCDs, OLED monitors, and high-performance LED all-in-one PCs have been provided.
Energy Efficiency Index Updates: Energy efficiency indexes for various types of monitors have been updated and established.
Higher Energy Efficiency Requirements
Energy Efficiency Index Establishment: Products are classified according to display method and whether they are high-performance monitors, and energy efficiency index requirements are specified separately for each category. For LCD monitors, a separate energy efficiency limit value has been set for 8K LCD monitors.
Indicator Comparison: The energy efficiency level 2 index of the monitor energy efficiency standard is 10% higher than the level 1 index of GB 21520-2015. For high-performance LCD monitors, the energy efficiency level 2 index of the monitor energy efficiency standard is 26% higher than the level 1 index of GB 21520-2015.
Impact on the Industry
Under the backdrop of "dual carbon" goals and high-quality product development, the formulation and implementation of energy efficiency standards for monitors play an important role in promoting energy efficiency improvements in monitor products and regulating the monitor product market. They also serve as the technical basis for the implementation of the energy efficiency labeling system and the energy-saving product certification system.
