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DSG international CEO calls on electronics manufacturers to phase out stand-by function

DSG INTERNATIONAL CEO ISSUES CALL TO ARMS TO GLOBAL CONSUMER ELECTRONICS MANUFACTURERS: “LET’S WORK TOGETHER TO PHASE OUT STAND-BY.”
• Europe’s leading electrical retailer signals commitment to a substantial increase in its energy-efficient range
• Parallel commitment to more information in-store will enable customers to make informed environmental choices

In a speech to its international supplier conference in London later today, DSG international chief executive John Clare will call on global manufacturers of consumer electronics to focus their energies on supporting the international green agenda.

He will ask manufacturers to achieve this through more efficient product design, including the phasing out, wherever possible, of stand-by functions on consumer electronics. Mr Clare will also call for the increased use of sustainable materials, a focus on energy reduction and closer collaboration with retailers on marketing and promotion of green products.

In advance of his speech, Mr Clare commented: “From a retail perspective, the shift in customer behaviour is already beginning. The introduction of energy efficiency labelling in our white goods ranges several years ago brought about a fundamental shift in buyer behaviour. I believe that the same will happen in the brown goods sector. Already, we are seeing more and more customers making buying decisions on the basis of energy efficiency. As an illustration, our decisions to introduce solar panels and phase out the sale of conventional light bulbs were enormously popular with both customers and stakeholders. I suspect that the momentum in this area will only increase.”

John Clare will use his speech to highlight the increasing political attention focused on environmental issues: “Making progress on the green agenda is rightly the responsibility of all of us and as Government urges business to lead on this issue, we can expect more scrutiny and regulation in this area. I believe that it is critical that DSGi maintains its position as being actively engaged in this area. As a business we are now more effectively showcasing the good work that has already been done and the progress the business has made.”

Calling for closer collaboration between retailers and manufacturers, he will add: “In partnership with our Global suppliers, we are in a prime position to have a significant impact on our customers’ behaviours and choices. We must use this position in the right way – now. We must work together to offer more energy-efficient products, phase out, where possible, the stand-by function on electrical products, provide energy efficiency information to users, including energy efficient labelling for brown goods. Please work with us on these important initiatives.”

According to recent Government estimates, electrical devices left on stand-by account for 7TWh of energy and emit nearly 800,000 tonnes of carbon each year.

Mr Clare will also point to the Group’s increasing focus on environmental initiatives, including:

— Collaboration with the Energy Savings Trust to increase the awareness of energy-efficient products through comprehensive labelling. Development of a range of labelled brown goods including, most recently, own-brand set top boxes.
— A programme to develop an own-brand carbon-neutral PC, reducing the energy consumption to 12% of the industry average for PCs, and using a state of the art carbon offset programme to cover the remaining impact.
— The introduction of new energy efficient and solar ranges and the de-listing of energy-hungry products such as conventional light bulbs.
— Increase in the volumes of packaging waste that are recycled. Use of recycled materials in own-brand packaging. Introduction of the only carrier bags made from 100% recycled materials.
— A programme to substantially reduce energy consumption in the Group’s stores in partnership with the Carbon Trust, yielding a carbon saving of 8,500 tonnes each year.
— Redesign of the Group’s international supply chain, including a complete restructuring of its UK operations. Achievement of a substantial reduction in the Group’s delivery mileage through effective logistics management and introduction of a fleet of double-deck vehicles.
— Greater transparency in product labelling, literature and promotion, including a partnership with Waterwise that introduces water efficiency ratings into promotional material.
— The introduction of the UK’s only national store take-back programme for end-of-life products in response to the WEEE Directive.

— Ends —
More information:
Hamish Thompson Twelve Thirty Eight 07702 684290

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