The Global Electronics Council has launched EPEAT 2.0, the updated edition of its longstanding electronic device environmental rating program.
GEC on Dec. 10 announced the launch, describing the second edition of the rating system as “a major step forward to support the vast stakeholder community invested in responsible electronics, including significant updates to the underlying science-based criteria, reflecting today’s most urgent priorities.”
EPEAT launched in 2006 with grant funding support from the U.S. EPA and was formerly known as the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool. Managed by the nonprofit GEC, the program provides rating criteria to determine a product’s environmental impact and maintains a database of registered products. It is frequently used by procurement departments to make purchasing decisions, and it is among the standards recommended by the U.S. government for federal procurement.
According to GEC, EPEAT 2.0 reflects a deeper focus on several environmental impact categories, including greenhouse gas reduction; design for reuse, repair and recycling; designing to eliminate chemicals of concern such as perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS); and responsible material sourcing that includes fair labor standards.
Manufacturing giant HP has already registered a handful of PC and display product lines to the EPEAT 2.0 standard. In a statement, the company said the focus on more sustainable material use represents a “key product improvement” in the new standard.
“This includes the use of PFAS-free alternatives, and more recycled and responsibly-sourced content,” HP wrote. “Users can experience this firsthand through components like recycled metals in the PC chassis or recycled plastics in the keyboard and printer enclosures.”
The standard is rolling out through a transition period. Manufacturers can continue registering products to EPEAT 1.0 until July 2026, but by July 2027, all products on the EPEAT registry must conform to the updated standard.
