EPEAT Overview
EPEAT
Servers | Computers & Displays | Imaging Equipment | Televisions | Mobile Phones
EPEAT is the leading global ecolabel for the IT sector. The EPEAT program provides independent verification of manufacturers’ claims and the EPEAT online Registry lists sustainable products from a broader range of manufacturers than any comparable ecolabel. National governments, including the United States, and thousands of private and public institutional purchasers around the world use EPEAT as part of their sustainable procurement decisions.
The Green Electronics Council (GEC) manages this flagship program, including ensuring the integrity of the EPEAT system. EPEAT is one example of how GEC supports institutional purchasers around the world, fostering a market for sustainable IT products to achieve our mission of a world of only sustainable IT.
How does EPEAT Work?
Purchasers can search for electronics based on product category, manufacturer, geography or EPEAT rating. EPEAT-registered products can even be identified based on specific attributes valued by an organization (reduction of toxic materials, recyclability, use of recycled plastic, etc.).
Manufacturers register products in EPEAT based on the devices’ ability to meet certain required and optional criteria that address the full product lifecycle, from design and production to energy use and recycling. Bronze-rated products meet all of the required criteria in their category. Silver-rated products meet all of the required criteria and at least 50% of the optional criteria, while Gold-rated products meet all of the required criteria and at least 75% of the optional criteria.
Manufacturers’ claims of compliance are subject to ongoing verification by qualified conformity assurance bodies. Products claims found non-conformant are announced publicly and removed from EPEAT to ensure Purchasers worldwide can use the system with confidence. Implementing EPEAT contract language also gives purchasers a vehicle for requiring suppliers to document all EPEAT-registered products purchased through that contract during a given year. This data, if shared with the Green Electronics Council, qualifies the purchaser for annual recognition and can be used to calculate the purchaser’s specific financial and environmental benefits.
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
EPEAT-registered products meet strict environmental criteria that address the full product lifecycle, from energy conservation and toxic materials to product longevity and end-of-life management. EPEAT-registered products offer a reduced environmental impact across their lifecycles.
Over their lifetime, the 1.12 billion EPEAT-registered electronics purchased globally since 2006 will deliver significant environmental benefits. Compared to products not meeting EPEAT criteria, these electronics will result in the reduction of 38.8 million metric tons of greenhouse gasses, elimination of 670,484 metric tons of hazardous waste, and will reduce solid waste by the equivalent of 291,913 U.S. households’ annual waste.
These lifecycle impacts and others are calculated using the Electronics Environmental Benefits Calculator. The Calculator is available near the bottom of this EPA webpage.
EPEAT’s Participating Manufacturers must annually report on their sales of all EPEAT registered products. Here are the highlights from the EPEAT 2016 Environmental Impacts Report:
EPEAT 2016 Environmental Benefits Report
Energy Related Savings
EPEAT’s requirement that registered products meet the latest ENERGY STAR specifications means these products will consume less energy throughout their useful life, resulting in:
- Savings of 42.3 billion kWh of electricity—enough to power 3.3 million U.S. homes for a year
- Avoidance of more than 57,450 metric tons of water pollutant emissions
- Reduction of 7.8 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions— equivalent to taking more than 5.6 million average U.S. passenger cars off the road for a year
Electronics Environmental Benefits Calculator (EEBC) – To calculate the environmental impacts from the purchase of a specific EPEAT-registered product, use the Electronics Environmental Benefits Calculator (EEBC).
Measurable Benefits for the Environment
Over their lifetime, compared to products that do not meet EPEAT criteria, the 130,847,660 EPEAT-registered IT purchased worldwide in 2016 alone will:
- Reduce use of primary materials by 15.3 million metric tons, equivalent to the weight of 46.5 Empire State Buildings
- Avoid the disposal of 105,342 metric tons of hazardous waste, equivalent to the weight of 10.5 Eiffel Towers
- Eliminate the equivalent of nearly 92,862 U.S. households’ annual solid waste—173,652 metric tons
Past Environmental Benefits Reports
2012 Environmental Benefits Report
2011 Environmental Benefits Report
2010 Environmental Benefits Report
2009 Environmental Benefits Report
2008 Environmental Benefits Report
2007 Environmental Benefits Report
Advisory Council
The EPEAT Advisory Council is a non-fiduciary body formed to provide input and advice to EPEAT management. The Green Electronics Council manages the EPEAT system. The EPEAT Advisory Council draws volunteers from all of EPEAT’s stakeholder groups, including representatives of manufacturing, purchasing, environmental advocacy, recycling, government, research, retail and reseller interests. Members are nominated for three-year terms. Each Advisor’s term expires in December of the year indicated in parentheses shown.
The Advisory Council, whose members are shown here, meets twice annually in person and at least twice annually via teleconference. Subgroups of the Council also meet to discuss and develop proposals on specific issues as needed. The Council operates and makes decisions primarily through a consensus-based process. Nonmembers are welcome to attend meetings by invitation. Please contact EPEAT to make arrangements to attend a meeting.
Dave Asiello (2019)
Program Manager
U.S. Department of Defense
Christine Banks (2020)
Vice President of Environmental Business
Texas Campaign for the Environment
Christina Bocher (2018)
Senior Project Manager, Sustainability & Regulatory Compliance
DEKRA Consulting GmbH
Alexandra Degher (2020)
Worldwide Lifecycle Assessment Program Manager
HP, Inc.
Joe Johnson (2021)
Director of Environmental Affairs
Cisco Systems
Mark Kardos (2018)
Environmental Program Manager
UL Environment
Stephanie H. Leclerc (2021)
Sustainable Procurement Project Manager
McGill University
Stacey Foreman (2019)
Sustainable Purchasing Coordinator
City of Portland, Oregon
Rob Guzzo (2019)
Environmental Technologies Manager
Apple, Inc.
Lucian Turk (2018)
Principal Engineer, Environmental Affairs
Dell, Inc.
Julie Weiss (2018)
Project Manager
City of Palo Alto, Public Works
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