Green Label Evaluation: Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT)
Sponsoring Organization: “EPEAT is incorporated as a 501(c)(4) “social benefit” not-for-profit organization in Portland, Oregon. EPEAT is managed and operated by the Green Electronics Council. The GEC is part of the International Sustainable Development Foundation which is a 501(c)(3) “charitable” not-for-profit organization.”
Focus: EPEAT’s focus is on the environmental footprint of computers and monitors.
Commodities Covered: EPEAT provides environmental rankings for desk top computers, laptops, and monitors.
Standards: EPEAT was developed under an EPA grant is incorporated into American National Standard IEEE 1680. IEEE is the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers a not-for-profit organization. EPEAT uses 23 required criteria and 28 optional criteria to determine three levels (bronze, silver and gold) of environmental status. Manufacturers sign an agreement with EPEAT and present their products standard ratings. EPEAT randomly selects products each year to verify their conformity to the standards. Also IEEE 1680 requires conformity with Energy Star standards so therefore an EPEAT product is also Energy Star compliant.
Reporting of Standards: Certified products can use the EPEAT name and all products are listed on the EPEAT site. Purchasers of computer equipment are encouraged to include the EPEAT standards in their contract language.
Use of Standards: A local government can use the standards as a part of their bid standards, can require FSC certification, or can use the certification as an evaluation criterion.