Apple Comments on EPEAT Withdrawal

Apple made headlines earlier this week when it emerged that the company had pulled its products from EPEAT's list of registered EPEAT-certified products. Though the news has generated plenty of discussion, Apple itself had yet to comment on its decision to pull away from the environmental standard. All that changed yesterday, though, when the Cupertino-based company issued a statement regarding its actions.

"Apple takes a comprehensive approach to measuring our environmental impact and all of our products meet the strictest energy efficiency standards backed by the US government, Energy Star 5.2," Apple representative Kristin Huguet, told The Loop.

"We also lead the industry by reporting each product's greenhouse gas emissions on our website, and Apple products are superior in other important environmental areas not measured by EPEAT, such as removal of toxic materials."

So, while some believe Apple is pulling away from EPEAT because the company is moving towards product designs that no longer satisfy the standard, Apple is of the opinion that EPEAT's standard isn't comprehensive enough. What's more, the Loop's Jim Dalrymple points out that in addition to not measuring toxins and other environmental areas, EPEAT also doesn’t measure smartphones or tablets, which is an area of significant importance for Apple.

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  • hotroderx
    I am confused then why not continue to stay in EPEAT and hold your self to a higher standard. Showing how you go beyond the EPEAT standards? There really serious about going above and beyond EPEAT standards then meeting them should be no issue at all.
    Reply
  • newbcakes
    Whatever Apple, whatever.
    Reply
  • lsc
    Apple's response in terms of EPEAT's environmental standards: "Apple is of the opinion that EPEAT's standard isn't comprehensive enough" = You're are holding it wrong
    Reply
  • sykozis
    Energy Star is a joke. Half the products on the market carrying an "energy star" logo....don't even meet the requirements for certification.
    Reply
  • Apple hater here, but I applaud apple on this move, don't be bullied to meet some standard because some crackpot scientists who want government funding have forced this Green crap down our throats. Make what you want, if it is a product people want who cares if it meets some BS standard that everyone knows in the long run doesn't mean squat on the performance of the device. This is IT, by default there is nothing "Green" about it.
    Reply
  • That's some creative spin they're putting on this situation. "EPEAT isn't thorough enough . . . so we're not going to hold ourselves to the standards they DO set."


    Excellent.
    Reply
  • beardguy
    Sounds like politician speak.
    Reply
  • cpatel1987
    @HotRoderx: Its the companies sneaky way of saying: We aren't meeting the standard, but hey, look at the other shiny things we're doing.

    Your absolutely right. Theres no reason why they can't meet EPEAT and create their own standard.
    Reply
  • omnimodis78
    I don't get why Apple didn't take a proactive approach in public relations regarding this issue. Why not beat the drums and sound the trumpets right away instead of waiting days before they released an official statement. Not to mention, I still don't get why not keep this certification and seek another one for those products which said certification doesn't cover. It would have made a bit more sense - but no doubt there's more to this than we are communicated. Oh Apple Inc. ...
    Reply
  • livebriand
    sykozisEnergy Star is a joke. Half the products on the market carrying an "energy star" logo....don't even meet the requirements for certification.I have to wonder - how does my Brother MFC-9840CDW meet that when it pulls up to 900W while warming up and printing? Granted, it is a color laser printer, but still...
    Reply