The proposal, which was commissioned by the Australian Greenhouse office from Digital CEnergy Australia recommends that Energy Ratings backed by Minimum Energy Performance Standards be applied to TVs from October next year – any TVs that don't achieve one star (out of a maximum of six) would be banned.

Digital CEnergy tested the current range of plasma and LCD TV models available, but said it found only four out of 20 plasmas would make it to market. Most LCD TVs managed to achieve one star. Digital CEnergy did not disclose which particular models it tested.

The report recommended a stricter set of standards be imposed by April 2011 that would essentially ban all plasmas and most LCD TVs from the market altogether.

Digital CEnergy presented the report at meeting of industry representatives and others last week.