Apple Releases Statement on EPEAT Withdrawal Concerns

Earlier this week it was reported Apple had removed itself from registering its products via EPEAT, an environmental rating system. Apple has responded to concerns over their withdrawal from EPEAT in a statement released to The Loop:

“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.”

Apple has been quite transparent on its website in describing how they have removed toxic materials in the manufacturing process of their products. Still though, their withdrawal from EPEAT has already caused concern. According to the WSJ, San Francisco city officials will no longer be purchasing Apple products as non-EPEAT rated goods cannot be purchased with taxpayer dollars:

Officials with the San Francisco Department of Environment told CIO Journal on Monday they would send out letters over the next two weeks,informing all 50 of the city’s agencies that Apple laptops and desktops “will no longer qualify” for purchase with city funds.

The Loop also notes EPEAT certifications are considered old, as admitted by their own board member in March to Greenbiz:

“Part of it is expanding EPEAT’s global reach through the multiple certification [process]; as well as moving into new, additional products; as well as updating the EPEAT [certifications], because they’re a little long in the tooth. [Each of those] is a huge project on its own,”

Apple has made it clear they will not have a third party inhibit their ability to make the best products. It will be interesting to see if city officials will bypass EPEAT requirements and make exceptions towards Apple products. Because, when you want a Mac, you’re going to get one no matter what!

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