Moving beyond the elementary level

At this ‘back-to-school’ moment, EPEAT is buzzing with activity.

Following final standards approval by the IEEE Standards Association, it’s full speed ahead on implementation of EPEAT Imaging Equipment and Television registries – both debuting early in 2013. Our global registration partners – CESI, DEKRA, Intertek, ULE and VDE – are engaging with manufacturers to provide expanded support services, and we’re building internal capacity with the addition of new senior staff members.

Training on the new standards is underway and will continue throughout the fall and winter. The Server standard development process is underway, and revision of the original PC and Display standard has begun. And starting with this summer’s pilot in a local Office Depot store, we’re working with retail and manufacturer partners to refine our new EcoSense by EPEAT brand presentation for launch in 2013.

EPEAT has been the definitive global system for identifying and purchasing greener PC and Display products for years now.  Purchasers’ vehement expression of support following the departure of one of our Subscribers this summer re-emphasized the system’s critical importance to the environmental efforts of organizations around the world (as well as convincing that Subscriber to return). It also re-dedicated the EPEAT organization to mapping new directions in product and standard design going forward, to capture and reward innovations that improve products’ environmental profile, and to continue to provide our users with cutting edge guidance .

Rapid expansion in product coverage, registration and training services, and consumer availability fulfills the original EPEAT stakeholders’ vision – a one stop shop covering multiple product categories that enables purchasers to simply select EPEAT registered and know they are getting the most environmentally friendly products.

This school year we’re thrilled to be ‘graduating’ to the next stage – supporting continual growth and improvement of the system to meet new circumstances, new customers and new environmental challenges.