Yesterday, we updated you on a interesting development in Apple-EPEAT story that 40 Apple products are now listed on EPEAT’s registry including the Retina MacBook Pro which initially did not make it to that list. However, a new publication by Fortune claims that Retina MacBook Pro could soon lose its Gold-level EPEAT ratings because “the notebooks flunk two key tests”.
(Photo via iFixit.com)
The report points out that EPEAT only gave Apple’s non-Retina MacBook Pros a Gold label, indicating they are okay for purchase by agencies that are required to buy only EPEAT-approved computers. However, Apple also gave Gold labels to its new MacBook Pro models with Retina display, whose batteries are affixed to their aluminum frames with industrial strength glue so powerful that the disassembly experts at iFixit couldn’t remove them without “leaking hazardous goo all over.”
Detailing from the source:
The Electronics TakeBack Coalition — a pro-recycling group whose members range from the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition to the Environmental Defense Fund — was quick to spot the sleight of hand.
“We seriously doubt that these Mac Books should qualify for EPEAT at any level,” wrote Barbara Kyle, the ETBC’s National Coordinator, on the organization’s website, “because we think they flunk two required criteria in the ‘Design for End of Life’ section of the standard. They are:
- Criterion 4.3.1.3: External enclosures shall be easily removable by one person alone with commonly available tools.
While you can open up the enclosure, you can’t completely remove one half of the casing from the large group of batteries. They are glued to the case with industrial strength glue.
- Criterion 4.3.1.5 Identification and removal of components containing hazardous materials.
This criteria specifically applies to batteries, as well as circuit boards over 10 cm2 and other components, and says they must be safely and easily removable. Gluing the battery in does not quality as ‘easily removable.’ In fact, it’s exactly the kind of design that this standard seeks to discourage.”
It is now likely that when EPEAT conducts a review of its grading, it may ask Apple to remove the MacBook Pro with Retina display from the registry if it is not found to conform to the IEEE standard.
