Further incentives to phase out energy-intensive consumer electronics products that cost consumers and the environment dearly will be examined as the result of renewed close co-operation between major UK retailers and the Government, Minister for Climate Change Joan Ruddock said today.

“Britain has led the way in phasing out inefficient lightbulbs. I’m proud of this achievement and want to see it taken to a new level with all the electrical products we see in stores", Joan Ruddock said.

“I want to begin the switch off in inefficient products. Our retailers have a crucial role to play in offering greener choices to consumers, and I am greatly encouraged by their clear commitment to work up this initiative.”

The British Retail Consortium, retailers and the Government will work on the details of the Initiative over the next two months. This initiative will aim to set clear targets and retailers will be looking at ways to analyse the energy efficiency of consumer electronic products, starting with set-top boxes and to consider how a significant reduction could be made in stand-by energy use.