Green IT ratings go global

Firms looking to purchase green IT equipment should find it easier to identify the most environmentally friendly models from this week, following the global launch of the US-based Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT).

The US Green Electronics Council, which launched the EPEAT registry in 2006, yesterday unveiled new versions of the registry detailing the greenest computers, monitors and notebooks available in 40 different countries, including the UK, Canada, China, Japan, Australia, Brazil and Mexico.

EPEAT executive director Jeff Omelchuck told news agency AFP that the new registries had been developed in response to growing global demand for EPEAT-approved products.

"Before, you might fall in love with a laptop on the registry only to find it is not available in your country," he said. "Now, registries show products available in your country and environmental characteristics particular to your country."

The EPEAT registry is widely regarded as one of the most comprehensive green IT certification schemes available. Unlike the popular Energy Star labelling initiative, it combines an assessment of a product's energy efficiency with other environmental credentials such as life span, packaging, recyclability and use of toxic components.

Products have to meet a minimum of 23 criteria to attain an EPEAT bronze certificate, while those wishing to gain the silver or gold rating have to meet a further 14 or 21 optional criteria respectively.

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