As part of GEC’s continued evolution, we are advancing a critical structural change meant to build on our service delivery and position our initiatives for the future.
Effective January 1, 2026, the GEC Conformity Assurance Body (GEC CAB) began a transition into a separate legal entity. This move reflects both growing importance of client-focused conformity assessment services and the need to align with emerging regulatory requirements, particularly in the European Union. Over time, this change will further strengthen the value of the GEC CAB for EPEAT Participating Manufacturers that choose to engage its services.
Please note that the transition will be gradual. Visible changes to GEC CAB will not be evident immediately. GEC CAB will continue operating independently, as it has in the past, while evolving into a fully stand-alone organization over the next nine months. Key developments planned during this interim phase include:
- Adoption of a new organizational name
- Establishment of an independent Board and Chief Executive Officer
- Launch of a dedicated website
Importantly, manufacturers should expect the high-quality conformity assessment services they rely on to continue to meet or exceed expectations.
To guide the organization through this transition, Carl Smith has been appointed Acting CEO of GEC CAB. Carl brings deep institutional knowledge to the role, having served as a long-time member of the GEC Board and previously as Acting CEO of GEC.
This transition represents a forward-looking investment in the integrity, resilience, and global relevance of EPEAT conformity assurance. Additional details will be shared in the coming months as milestones are achieved.
Those with questions are encouraged to reach out directly to Carl at csmith@gec.org.
