Energy efficiency has been a focus of the consumer electronics industry for many years. As our country looks for ways to conserve energy, companies in our industry are supporting voluntary efforts that take a market-based approach to reducing electricity use.
In many cases, our products are part of the solution to the energy debate. Electronic products become smaller, cheaper, better, faster and more energy efficient year after year. Product “convergence” also helps conserve energy as the features of two or more previously separate devices are combined into one product.
Retailers benefit as consumers become more knowledgeable about the energy-efficient products available to them. One initiative that addresses this issue is Energy Star, a program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Energy Star is an active partnership between manufacturers, retailers and other industry organizations united by a common goal: to help protect our environment for future generations by utilizing more energy-efficient practices. Manufacturers involved with Energy Star have made a commitment to protect the environment by continuing to manufacture quality products that help consumers save energy.
The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) has supported this initiative since 1997. The relationship continues during the upcoming holiday season when Energy Star will partner with retailers, manufacturers and utilities on a marketing campaign to increase sales of Energy Star-qualified consumer electronics products.
From November through December 2002, the consumer electronics promotion will highlight Energy Star – qualified televisions, VCRs, DVD players, TV/VCR/DVD combination units, home audio equipment, cordless telephones and answering machines. This is the first time in the program’s history that Energy Star has launched a nationwide campaign to highlight and promote energy-efficient consumer electronics products.
This initiative can help increase end-of-year sales of the targeted products. Recent EPA research indicates that approximately 40 percent of U.S. households recognize the Energy Star label and more than 750 million labeled products have been purchased to date. Seventy-four percent of those who were aware of the label and made a purchase within the past 12 months reported buying an Energy Star qualified product.
Through increased product offerings, activities such as national promotions, and the efforts of Energy Star partners, EPA and DOE hope to drive more consumers to purchase Energy Star products this holiday season and throughout the year. Additional information about this successful government-industry partnership can be found at www.energystar.gov.
Another program that will help focus industry and consumer attention on energy efficiency is “Environmental Awareness Day — Green Saturday at CES,” which will occur at the 2003 International CES on Saturday, Jan. 11. “Green Saturday” will highlight our industry’s efforts to lessen the environmental impact of our products throughout their lifecycle without sacrificing the features and functionality demanded by tech-savvy consumers. Conference sessions will feature industry experts addressing business issues concerning electronics recycling and energy efficiency and the steps the CE industry is taking to protect the environment.
Also, energy-efficient products and technologies will be featured at the Energy Technology Center sponsored by CEA and Energy Star. During the past two years, policymakers at the federal and state levels have introduced or discussed proposals related to the energy efficiency of electronics and other consumer products.
Ongoing attention to these environmental issues, at events like the International CES and via Energy Star promotions, will educate consumers about these topics and work to drive CE sales by offering consumers a range of preferred product choices.
