GEC is pleased to have taken the next step towards expanding GEC’s data center stack to increase the sustainability of data centers by releasing its Final Product Category Proposal for Enterprise Data Storage products. GEC will engage technical experts to refine and finalize sustainability criteria for this product category by convening an Expert Ad Hoc Group in Q3/Q4 of 2025. A reminder and call for participation will be sent in coming months.

The final Product Category Proposal reflects stakeholder comments and data-supported recommendations submitted during the public consultation process and outlines the rationale for adding enterprise data storage to the EPEAT portfolio, including market analysis, summary of sustainability impacts and strategies to reduce impacts, and stakeholder interest. It also provides an overview of product composition and makes recommendations on the scope and approach for developing criteria for this product category.

GEC will  activate this new EPEAT Product Category by applying the newly updated next generation sustainability criteria for Climate Change Mitigation, Reducing Chemicals of Concern and Responsible Supply Chains, and working with stakeholders to  make necessary changes to apply the next generation EPEAT Sustainable Use of Resources (SUR)Criteria to data storage equipment.  GEC will convene Expert Ad Hoc Groups to review draft proposals for a Limited Criteria Revision of the SUR Criteria. Where select Sustainable Use of Resources criteria have product specific thresholds and/or functional performance requirements, such as for recycled content and availability of replacement components, GEC will seek Expert Ad Hoc Group input on the applicability of server requirements to data storage products. No other revisions to EPEAT SUR-2025 Criteria or other next generation EPEAT Criteria are proposed.

Following conclusion of the Expert Ad Hoc Group vetting process, GEC will initiate a Voluntary Consensus Process with NSF International for a Limited Criteria Revision of EPEAT SUR-2025. This work is expected to begin in Q3/Q4 of 2025.

Please contact Erica Terek (eterek@gec.org) with questions.  

GEC is pleased to release its Final Product Category Proposal for Enterprise Data Storage products, which reflects stakeholder comments and data-supported recommendations submitted during the public consultation process.

This document outlines the rationale for adding enterprise data storage to the EPEAT portfolio, including market analysis, summary of sustainability impacts and strategies to reduce impacts, and stakeholder interest. It also provides an overview of product composition and makes recommendations on the scope and approach for developing criteria for this product category.

In order to activate this new EPEAT Product Category, GEC will apply the newly updated next generation sustainability criteria for Climate Change Mitigation, Reducing Chemicals of Concern and Responsible Supply Chains. GEC will also make necessary changes to apply the next generation EPEAT Sustainable Use of Resources Criteria to data storage equipment by convening Expert Ad Hoc Groups to review draft proposals for a Limited Criteria Revision. Where select Sustainable Use of Resources criteria have product specific thresholds and/or functional performance requirements, such as for recycled content and availability of replacement components, GEC will seek Expert Ad Hoc Group input on the applicability of server requirements to data storage products. No other revisions to EPEAT SUR-2025 Criteria or other next generation EPEAT Criteria are proposed. Following conclusion of the Expert Ad Hoc Group vetting process, GEC will initiate a Voluntary Consensus Process with NSF International for a Limited Criteria Revision of EPEAT SUR-2025.

Stakeholders interested in participating in the Expert Ad Hoc Group are encouraged to contact Criteria@globalelectronicscouncil.org by 11:59pm ET on April 30, 2025.  

Please contact Erica Terek (eterek@gec.org) with any questions.  

Today the Global Electronics Council (GEC) released its Final Product Category Proposal for Enterprise Data Storage products, which initiates coverage of this category under the EPEAT ecolabel, and development of the EPEAT “data center stack” to enable more sustainable data centers.  The final proposal reflects stakeholder comments and data-supported recommendations submitted during the public consultation process.   

This document outlines the rationale for adding enterprise data storage to the EPEAT portfolio, including market analysis, summary of sustainability impacts and strategies to reduce impacts, and stakeholder interest. It also provides an overview of product composition and makes recommendations on the scope and approach for developing criteria for this product category.   

In order to activate this new EPEAT Product Category, GEC will apply the newly updated next generation sustainability criteria for Climate Change Mitigation, Reducing Chemicals of Concern and Responsible Supply Chains. GEC will also make necessary changes to apply the next generation EPEAT Sustainable Use of Resources Criteria to data storage equipment by convening Expert Ad Hoc Groups to review draft proposals for a Limited Criteria Revision. Where select Sustainable Use of Resources criteria have product specific thresholds and/or functional performance requirements, such as for recycled content and availability of replacement components, GEC will seek Expert Ad Hoc Group input on the applicability of server requirements to data storage products. No other revisions to EPEAT SUR-2025 Criteria or other next generation EPEAT Criteria are proposed. Following conclusion of the Expert Ad Hoc Group vetting process, GEC will initiate a Voluntary Consensus Process with NSF International for a Limited Criteria Revision of EPEAT SUR-2025.   

EPEAT’s sustainability criteria are built and finalized via a community driven process.  Stakeholders interested in participating in the Expert Ad Hoc Group are encouraged to contact criteria@gec.org by 11:59pm ET on April 16, 2025.    

Please contact Erica Terek (eterek@gec.org) with any questions.