France: Recommendation from the French Audiovisual and Digital Communications Regulatory Authority (ARCOM) on the environmental footprint of television, on-demand audiovisual media and video-sharing platform Services

In brief

  • Pursuant to the law of 15 November 2021 aiming at reducing the environmental footprint of digital in France, ARCOM published on 13 September 2023 its recommendation (adopted on 26 July 2023) on consumer Information, from television Services, on-demand audiovisual media Services and video-sharing platform Services, regarding energy consumption and carbon dioxide emission of data consumption related to the use of these Services. This recommendation, which follows a public consultation of industry stakeholders launched in 2022, aims to encourage good consumption practices by informing users, facilitating the use of energy-efficient adjustment parameters and the establishment of a common methodology for calculating environmental impact.

Contents

  • ARCOM recommends the following measures:
  1. Publication of Information on the environmental impact of audiovisual content consumption, on the levers available for users to reduce this impact, and on the actions implemented by the Services concerned to reduce their environmental impact.

ARCOM recommends, in addition to the provision of Information by each actor, the development of a joint communication campaign to raise public awareness on the environmental impact of audiovisual content consumption.

  1. Providing Service users with access to image quality settings and low-energy operating settings.
  2. Invitation to players in the digital and audiovisual sector to set up from 2024 a common methodology for calculating the environmental impact of audiovisual uses linked to the use of their Services in 2024.
  • These measures are not mandatory, but ARCOM encourages all actors to subscribe fully to them.
  • Providers of television Services, on-demand audiovisual media Services and video-sharing platform Services must also inform ARCOM annually, by 31 March at the latest for the previous financial year, of the actions they have undertaken in relation to the measures set out in the recommendation, with quantified indicators showing the effectiveness of the measures implemented.

Contact-us: par-itc@bakermckenzie.com

We want to thank Aurélie Djiha, who is a Trainee at BakerMckenzie, for her contribution to this article.

Click here to read the French version.


Copyright © 2024 Baker & McKenzie. All rights reserved. Ownership: This documentation and content (Content) is a proprietary resource owned exclusively by Baker McKenzie (meaning Baker & McKenzie International and its member firms). The Content is protected under international copyright conventions. Use of this Content does not of itself create a contractual relationship, nor any attorney/client relationship, between Baker McKenzie and any person. Non-reliance and exclusion: All Content is for informational purposes only and may not reflect the most current legal and regulatory developments. All summaries of the laws, regulations and practice are subject to change. The Content is not offered as legal or professional advice for any specific matter. It is not intended to be a substitute for reference to (and compliance with) the detailed provisions of applicable laws, rules, regulations or forms. Legal advice should always be sought before taking any action or refraining from taking any action based on any Content. Baker McKenzie and the editors and the contributing authors do not guarantee the accuracy of the Content and expressly disclaim any and all liability to any person in respect of the consequences of anything done or permitted to be done or omitted to be done wholly or partly in reliance upon the whole or any part of the Content. The Content may contain links to external websites and external websites may link to the Content. Baker McKenzie is not responsible for the content or operation of any such external sites and disclaims all liability, howsoever occurring, in respect of the content or operation of any such external websites. Attorney Advertising: This Content may qualify as “Attorney Advertising” requiring notice in some jurisdictions. To the extent that this Content may qualify as Attorney Advertising, PRIOR RESULTS DO NOT GUARANTEE A SIMILAR OUTCOME. Reproduction: Reproduction of reasonable portions of the Content is permitted provided that (i) such reproductions are made available free of charge and for non-commercial purposes, (ii) such reproductions are properly attributed to Baker McKenzie, (iii) the portion of the Content being reproduced is not altered or made available in a manner that modifies the Content or presents the Content being reproduced in a false light and (iv) notice is made to the disclaimers included on the Content. The permission to re-copy does not allow for incorporation of any substantial portion of the Content in any work or publication, whether in hard copy, electronic or any other form or for commercial purposes.