About EPEAT®
Credible by Design
Overview of the EPEAT Ecolabel
EPEAT is the world’s premier ecolabel for electronics and technology products. EPEAT’s free online Registry identifies thousands of more sustainable electronics from the broadest range of manufacturers across the globe.
EPEAT is operated by the Global Electronics Council® (GEC), a mission-driven nonprofit dedicated to a world with only sustainable electronic technology that advances the well-being of people and planet. We are committed to 100% sustainable electronics by 2050 for everyone, everywhere.
EPEAT is audited by an independent accreditation Body (ANAB) and maintains formal recognition for meeting the requirements of ISO 14024, the internationally recognized standard for Type 1 ecolabels – one of the few ecolabels globally to do so. We are also a member of the Global Ecolabelling Network and successfully completed the Global Ecolabelling Network’s peer review process against best practices for ecolabels.
Stakeholders can review the EPEAT Policy Manual for a deeper understanding of the underlying policies, principles and practices used by EPEAT to ensure the highest levels of credibility, transparency and rigor.
Our commitment to credibility is reflected in everything we do – in our verification system and the oversight, training and requirements we have for the accredited conformity assurance bodies we work with, in our multi-stakeholder consensus-based criteria development process, in the design and ambition of EPEAT criteria, and in the many ways we actively and transparently engage stakeholders. Please visit the EPEAT Announcements Page for current opportunities to engage with us.
EPEAT criteria are developed through a voluntary consensus process with a balanced and wide range of stakeholders. These leadership criteria address the most critical sustainability impact areas across the electronics life cycle, from materials extraction and manufacturing to use, reuse and end-of-life, and cover Climate Change Mitigation, Chemicals of Concern, Sustainable Use of Resources (Circularity), and Responsible Supply Chains.
EPEAT not only establishes the baseline for sustainability leadership through required criteria but also includes optional criteria that encourage companies to address advanced environmental and social topics that other systems may consider out-of-reach. Optional criteria are designed to incentivize a race to the top. Products can achieve EPEAT Bronze, Silver, or Gold, depending on the number of optional points they obtain.
Bronze products must meet all required criteria and represent sustainability leadership. They address all key sustainability impacts across the life cycle of the product, from raw material extraction and manufacturing, through to use, reuse and disposal. Optional criteria are very challenging to meet and designed so only the most advanced products can achieve them. Silver and Gold products are highly innovative from a sustainability perspective.
Products currently meeting EPEAT criteria, known as "active" EPEAT registered products, are identified in the EPEAT Registry. Purchasers can search for products based on a variety of filters – product category, brand, the country where the product is expected to be used, EPEAT tier level (Bronze, Silver, and Gold) and more.
How Can Companies Participate in EPEAT?
To participate in EPEAT, companies should first review EPEAT criteria to understand the requirements.
Companies interested in participating in EPEAT must engage with an approved Conformity Assurance Body (CAB) and prove conformance with EPEAT criteria before their products can appear in the EPEAT Registry.
CABs are experienced verification organizations that must meet ISO/IEC 17020 or ISO/IEC 17065 and fulfill EPEAT's eligibility requirements on an ongoing basis. EPEAT oversees this network of CABs to ensure they maintain the required certifications, are trained on EPEAT criteria, meet both technical and service performance requirements, and successfully undergo annual audits performed by EPEAT. We also ensure verification is implemented consistently by all CABs.
Companies must complete the required EPEAT participation forms (EPEAT Participating Company Information Form and EPEAT License and Participating Company Agreement) and pay the EPEAT participation fees for the product categories in which they wish to register products.
After successful completion of the required verification activities, products are considered EPEAT registered and are identified on the EPEAT Registry. At this point, products are included in EPEAT’s surveillance activities called Continuous Monitoring.
