About EPEAT

Overview of the EPEAT Ecolabel

The Global Electronics Council (GEC) manages the EPEAT ecolabel. GEC has met the requirements of ISO 14024, which is necessary for managing a Type 1 ecolabel. GEC sets the policies for the EPEAT ecolabel, which are available in the EPEAT Policy Manual. 

The EPEAT ecolabel is the leading global Type 1 ecolabel covering products and services from the technology sector. It identifies more products from a broader range of manufacturers than any other comparable ecolabel. Products currently meeting EPEAT criteria, known as “active” EPEAT-registered products, are listed on this Registry. View the criteria for each EPEAT product category here. Purchasers can search for products based on product category, manufacturer, where the product is expected to be used or by EPEAT rating (Bronze/Silver/Gold).

Manufacturers and/or brands interested in getting their products registered under EPEAT must choose a Conformity Assurance Body (CAB). CABs are the third party organizations that work with manufacturers to verify that their product meet the EPEAT criteria as claimed. The Conformity Assurance Bodies providing third party verification services are experienced testing and certification organizations that must meet ISO/IEC 17020 Conformity assessment – Requirements for the operation of various types of bodies performing inspection or ISO/IEC 17065 Conformity assessment – Requirements for bodies certifying products, processes and services. GEC staff manage the CABs, making sure they maintain their required certifications, are trained on ecolabel criteria, and meet both technical and service performance requirements set by GEC. Further details on EPEAT's verification process are available in a short educational video.

The EPEAT ecolabel ensures the veracity of EPEAT-registered products through an ongoing surveillance process known as Continuous Monitoring. Continuous Monitoring activities occur throughout the year and test the ability of Participating Manufacturers to prove conformance with EPEAT criteria on an ongoing basis. All EPEAT-registered products in all product categories and all Participating Manufacturers are subject to Continuous Monitoring.

Continuous Monitoring occurs as part of annual Documentation Review activities conducted by GEC-approved CABs for the Certification Pathway (called Annual Renewal) and in the form of Investigations planned by the EPEAT ecolabel and implemented by GEC-approved Conformity Assurance Bodies (CABs) within discrete timeframes (called Continuous Monitoring Rounds). Some Investigations involve CABs evaluating documentation submitted by Participating Manufacturers, and others involve CABs facilitating laboratory evaluation of products, where products are acquired without the Participating Manufacturer’s involvement, where possible.

GEC is committed to transparency; therefore, the annual Schedule of Continuous Monitoring Rounds and their results are made publicly available. GEC believes that this public disclosure of outcomes (Outcomes Report) is an incentive for Participating Manufacturers to ensure ongoing conformance with EPEAT criteria. The annual schedule is also made available to both Participating Manufacturers and CABs to facilitate their resource planning for the year.

EPEAT Continuous Monitoring

EPEAT Continuous Monitoring Schedules

• 2021 Schedule of Continuous Monitoring Rounds
• 2022 Schedule of Continuous Monitoring Rounds
• 2023 Schedule of Continuous Monitoring Rounds

EPEAT Continuous Monitoring Plans and Outcomes Reports

A list of products found non-conformant with EPEAT criteria are publicly viewable. This transparency is necessary to ensure the credibility of the EPEAT ecolabel. Below are the Continuous Monitoring Round Plans and Outcomes Reports for current and previous monitoring activities for the last four years. For Plans and Outcomes Reports prior to this, please contact us.

Accessing EPEAT Criteria

EPEAT criteria are life-cycle based and developed through a balanced voluntary consensus process using an innovative process developed by GEC called the Dynamic Criteria Development Process (DCDP). The DCDP contains the five elements of a voluntary consensus process: openness, balance, due process, appeals process and consensus. A summary of the criteria development  process is available in GEC Criteria Development Process. 

Details regarding the process GEC follows to select product categories are also publicly available in GEC Selection of Product Categories. 

Here are the specific criteria for each EPEAT Product Category

Computers and Displays

• EPEAT Computers and Displays Category Criteria [based on IEEE 1680.1™ – 2018 Standard for Environmental and Social Responsibility Assessment of Computers and Displays]
• EPEAT Computers and Displays Category Criteria [based on 1680.1a-2020 – IEEE Standard for Environmental and Social Responsibility Assessment of Computers and Displays–Amendment 1: Editorial and Technical Corrections and Clarifications]

Imaging Equipment

• EPEAT Imaging Equipment Category Criteria [based on IEEE 1680.2™ – 2012 Standard for Environmental Assessment of Imaging Equipment]
• EPEAT Imaging Equipment Category Criteria [based on IEEE 1680.2a™ – 2017 Standard for Environmental Assessment of Imaging Equipment — Amendment 1]

Mobile Phones

• EPEAT Mobile Phone Category Criteria [based on UL 110 Edition 2 – 2017 Standard for Sustainability for Mobile Phones (including revisions through September 28, 2018)]

Network Equipment

• EPEAT Network Equipment Category Criteria [based on Criteria for the Sustainability Assessment of Network Equipment for the Global Electronics Council EPEAT® Ecolabel and the TÜV Rheinland Green Product Mark]

Photovoltaic Modules and Inverters

• EPEAT Photovoltaic Modules and Inverters Category Criteria [based on NSF/ANSI 457 – 2019 Sustainability Leadership Standard for Photovoltaic Modules and Photovoltaic Inverters]
• EPEAT Criteria for the Assessment of Ultra-Low Carbon Solar Modules

Servers

• EPEAT Server Category Criteria [based on NSF/ANSI 426-2018 Environmental Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility Assessment of Servers]

Televisions

• EPEAT Television Category Criteria [based on IEEE 1680.3™ – 2012 Standard for Environmental Assessment of Televisions]
• EPEAT Television Category Criteria [based on IEEE 1680.3a™ – 2017 Standard for Environmental Assessment of Televisions — Amendment 1]

How do products get covered under the EPEAT ecolabel?

Manufacturers/brands who are interested in registering their products with EPEAT must have an officer of the company sign the  EPEAT License and Participating Manufacturer Agreement. Manufacturers must also complete the  EPEAT Participating Manufacturer Information Form and pay the EPEAT Participating Manufacturer fees for the device categories in which they wish to register products. The manufacturer then engages one of the certification and testing organizations that make up EPEAT’s global network of  Conformity Assurance Bodies (CABs) and pays the appropriate fee for that service. After becoming a Participating Manufacturer, the brand owner will receive credentials to access the Registry and may begin making product declarations.

EPEAT Program Forms

EPEAT License and Participating Manufacturer Agreement

EPEAT Participating Manufacturer Information Form

EPEAT Policy Manual