A surge in computer purchasers around the globe looking to buy electronic products has led to the announcement yesterday of a partnership between two leading eco-labels to support the rapid growth of demand for environmentally preferable electronics.
EPEAT, the pre-eminent environmental ratings system for computers, and EcoLogo, an internationally recognized environmental standard setting and certification body, have agreed to partner to ensure that electronics manufacturers who want to register products in the rapidly growing EPEAT registry can do so through either EcoLogo or EPEAT.
The EPEAT system evaluates electronic products according to three tiers of environmental performance: Bronze, Silver and Gold. Each EPEAT registered desktop, laptop or monitor complies with 23 required environmental performance criteria to qualify for EPEAT registration. Products receive Bronze, Silver or Gold EPEAT ratings based on how many of 28 optional criteria they meet. Key benchmarks include the elimination of environmentally sensitive materials, product longevity, end of life management, and energy efficiency. EPEAT is a purchasing contract requirement for all US Federal Agencies, is included in the Canadian National Master Standing Offer for IT equipment, and is increasingly integrated into government, education, health care and enterprise purchasers’ IT contracts.
Moving forward, manufacturers will be able to register products in the EPEAT system by working directly with EPEAT or by working with EcoLogo. The two organizations will also collaborate on technical product verification, which is key to the EPEAT registry’s product assessment process.
Visit www.ecologo.org to read the press release.
Posted by KateRusnak in Environmental standards, Green office, Green products, Procurement