EPEAT

EPEAT is a system that helps purchasers evaluate, compare and select electronic products based on their environmental attributes. The system currently covers desktop and laptop computers, thin clients, workstations and computer displays, but will expand to additional electronic product categories over time. Standards development is underway through IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) for Imaging Equipment and Televisions, with a computer standard update scheduled to launch this spring, and Server and Mobile device standards development planned for 2011.

Desktops, laptops and monitors that meet 23 required environmental performance criteria may be registered in EPEAT by their manufacturers in 40 countries worldwide. Registered products are rated Gold, Silver or Bronze depending on the percentage of 28 optional criteria they meet above the baseline criteria - with products meeting 50% or more of the optional criteria scoring Silver and those meeting 75% or higher, Gold. EPEAT operates an ongoing verification program to assure the credibility of the registry.

Learn more: EPEAT website

Ecolabel details | What are the characteristics of the standard(s) related to this ecolabel?

Standard is available online: EPEAT Standard, and is reviewed every 3 years.

Number of standards 1 Adapted for regional / national / local conditions Yes Standards in development 2 Standards in revision 2 Performance requirements No

Performance requirements: Doesn't require it - but the system encourages competition and manufacturer subscribers clearly compete to register products at ever higher levels.

Standards in development: Imaging Equipment (printers, faxes, copiers, etc.), Televisions

Ecolabel addresses these stages:

Supply-chain phases Mining / Extraction → Processing / Manufacturing → Commodity Production → Transportation / Logistics → Trade / Retail → End / Consumer Use → Product Recovery / Recycling

Supply-chain phases: All - directly or indirectly - to some extent. It doesn't address resource extraction, for example, but does address materials use, toxicity, company performance - all related to production stage.

Ecolabel addresses these issues:

Social attributes

Unknown

Environmental attributes

Carbon / GHG Emissions, Chemicals, Energy - Use / Efficiency, Material use, Natural resources, Recycling, Toxics, Waste

Tracks environmental/social impacts

Yes, regularly

Mutual recognition:

Recognizes as equivalent

ENERGY STAR: USA

Recognized as equivalent by other ecolabels

Ecolabel development | How were the standards for this ecolabel developed?

Standard(s) developed / managed by

Stakeholders working through an open consensus process administered through the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) in an ANSI-approved process.

Standard-setting norm(s) followed

ANSI Essential Requirements

Standard-setting process

Open and consensus-based

External stakeholders involved in standard-setting

Companies, Consumer Associations, Customers, Experts / Consultants, Governmental Agencies / Representatives, Industry Associations, Local Communities, Local NGOs, National NGOs, Producers, Research & Academic, Suppliers, Other

Stakeholders: Environmental purchasing experts

Conformity assessment | How is compliance with this ecolabel's standard ensured?

Conformity with EPEAT's standard is verified by an independent organization (third party) following ISO Guide 65 Product Certification

Verifiers accredited

Frequency of ongoing audits

Random / Surprise

Certification / registration required

Applicants register for the ecolabel in order to use the label (but certification is not required)

Public audit / assessment reports

Yes

Chain-of-custody data

Yes

Corrective action reports issued

Yes

Field site visit(s)

Duration of certification

Other/comment

Specific metrics and data

Yes

Time to achieve certification / registration

Other

Time series data

Not required

Dispute resolution process

Unknown

Ongoing audits / surveillance following certification

Required; done by an independent organization (third party)

Public audit / assessment reports: Yes - all products and companies who are found to have non-conformances are publicly reported upon -- the report is placed on the epeat.net website and sent to purchasers and others who have expressed an interest.

Duration of certification: Can use the registration unless / until verification uncovers any issues with declaration - after adjustment may stil be able to use it if correction or 'undeclaration' of criterion at issue is completed.

Time to achieve certification / registration: Entirely dependent on specific application - can take 1/2 hour direct web registration for existing subscriber, or months of dialogue in desk review for new subscriber or first Gold rated product.