Business Requirements for Green Product Rating

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The business requirements for green product rating are set forth in EPEAT or "The Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool". This pertains to a set of criteria that manufacturers must meet in order to qualify their green electronic products, like desktop computers, integrated desktop computers, notebooks, workstation notebooks, workstation desktops and thin clients, as certifiably safe and friendly to the environment.

The program’s system for evaluation and verification of conformity to EPEAT’s environmental criteria is by way of self-verification processes. This is similar to the system being used by the Energy Star program

EPEAT is administered by the "Green Electronics Council of the ISDF (International Sustainable Development Foundation)", while its initial funding came from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the "Zero Waste Alliance". The latter is an organization of U.S. universities, national labs, private businesses, government entities, consulting firms, and state and local municipalities.

These organizations are working hand in hand to promote green initiatives for the reduction of CO2 emissions, elimination of hazardous materials and abatement of solid wastes. EPEAT's green product rating system is touted as a purchasing guide for green product consumers.

Image Credit: Elektroschrott by Volker Thies for Wikimedia Commons

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Manufacturers of green computing equipment and other green electronic appliances and devices must meet certain conditions, corporate qualifications and documentations, before their registrations as EPEAT members merit approval.

• Manufacturers are required and expected to abide not only with the U.S. definitions for hazardous wastes but also by the definitions of the importing countries. Criteria set forth as business requirements for green product rating covers all stages of the product’s life cycle, which include:

1) Reduction or elimination of environmentally hazardous materials for both the product and its packaging.

2) Material selection and limitation of plastic materials on the basis of their recyclability or capability for reuse.

3) Programs that handle the special materials at the end-life point of the green electronic product, like take-back programs and recycling services.

4) Added product longevity of life cycle by way of upgrades and additional warranty periods.

5) Energy conservation and efficiency via renewable energy.

6) Reduction or elimination of toxic substances used as materials for a product’s packaging.

• The manufacturing company has to sign a formal memorandum of understanding about its commitment to provide accurate information about the product and the company. Any inaccuracies discovered via EPEAT’s rigid validation system should be provided with remedies, which may include presentation of evidence.

• The company also has to pass certain criteria that pertain to the company’s corporate environmental policy or environmental management system.

• Payment of annual subscription fees entitles the manufacturer to register as many products annually.

• The required documents for submission include but are not limited to: the “EPEAT License and Subscriber Agreement” and the “Subscriber Set-up Form”.

• Any product entered for registration as a requisite of the rating system should pass the 23 required criteria before it is given a green product rating.

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There are 51 total environmental criteria to which a green product manufacturing company should comply. Twenty-three (23) are required, while 28 are optional. Based on specific levels of compliance, the green product ratings are awarded accordingly:

Bronze – The product meets all 23 required criteria.

Silver – A registered product has complied or meets at least 50 percent of the 28 optional criteria.

Gold – A registered product has complied or meets at least 75 percent of the 28 optional criteria.

Please proceed to the second page where you can find the list of business requirements for green product rating.

Image Credit: Courtesy of EPEAT.Net