Sony goes green with energy label scheme

Peter Dinham
Tuesday, 24 March 2009 09:36

IT Industry - Deals

Sony Australia is to roll out the Australian Government’s voluntary energy labelling scheme across its range of BRAVIA LCD televisions.

Nina Hearne, head of corporate communications at Sony Australia, says the company’s first full HD wireless LCD TVs, the ZX1 and EX1, will be the first in Sony’s line-up to arrive in Australia, from this week, carrying an energy consumption label, and all future BRAVIA LCD TVs from Sony would  also feature the energy rating labels.
 
The TV Energy Rating labelling system is a new initiative to present information about the efficiency of home entertainment products, and brings televisions in line with appliances such as fridges, washers and dryers, which have been featuring energy comparisons for a number of years.
 
Hearne says Sony is implementing the scheme as part of the government’s voluntary labelling
program, which will develop into a mandatory program later in the year, requiring all TV screens to be registered and labelled.

“This government initiative aligns Australia with other markets in the world that have already
introduced energy labels for TVs, such as the UK and US.

“The interest in energy consumption in TVs will be higher than ever in the year ahead. Not only is there increased pressure on household spending on energy bills, but there is also an increased sensitivity towards environmental concerns, including energy use. With many people considering upgrading their existing set ahead of digital switchover, it’s a good time to raise awareness of these issues.”

According to Hearne, the energy labelling scheme is already relied upon by consumers in selecting white goods, and it is a welcome addition to the TV market.
 
“It is a factor that can assist in evaluating one product or technology against another, for example LCD over Plasma, as well as what the energy consumption and financial costs and benefits of the product will be over its lifetime,” Hearne added.

Hearne said that, while a mandatory energy labelling scheme won’t happen until October 2009, Sony thought it was important to start getting consumers, and retailers, familiar with the labels, how to interpret them and how to use them as part of the decision-making process when purchasing a new TV.

“Globally, TV energy efficiency has been an important factor in Sony product design for many years combined with recycled and reduced packaging and care over the type and quality of materials used in the manufacturing process. All these elements have been prioritised to minimise the overall environmental footprint of the product,” Hearne added.