GEC is undertaking a multi-year initiative to revise its EPEAT Criteria to align with priority sustainability impacts of electronic products and their supply chains, and to ensure the criteria:

  • Meet purchaser demands with an increased focus on climate change and supply chains,
  • Address sustainability impacts consistently across product categories, and
  • Respond to rapid changes in both technology and market trends.

The priority sustainability impact areas include Climate Change Mitigation, Sustainable Use of Resources (or Circularity), Reduction of Chemicals of Concern, and Corporate ESG Performance. When complete, the updated criteria will be applied across all EPEAT product categories, starting with Computers and Displays, Imaging Equipment, Mobile Phones, Servers, and Televisions.

After extensive stakeholder consultation throughout 2022, GEC is pleased to announce that it has finalized the implementation plan that will guide the transition to the Update EPEAT Criteria. The Final Implementation Plan for Updated EPEAT Criteria identifies key dates in the transition process and provides additional details on other key activities that will support an efficient and successful transition, including recognition for manufacturers who adopt the Climate Change Mitigation Criteria early (called ‘Early Adopter Status’).

Some of the key transition dates are outlined below, however, Participating Manufacturers and GEC-approved Conformity Assurance Bodies are strongly encouraged to read the entire document.

Key Transition Dates
September 30, 2023 Estimated publication date of final criteria
September 30, 2024 Manufacturers can access the new back end of the Registry
April 1, 2025 Public launch where products meeting updated criteria from all impact areas become available on the EPEAT Registry
December 31, 2025 Products meeting old criteria will be archived

GEC thanks all stakeholders who engaged in the development of the plan. Stakeholder feedback was a crucial element in developing a balanced implementation plan, especially considering the diverse range of views expressed on key transition issues.

GEC believes the implementation plan outlines a fair, credible, and transparent path to guide the successful transition to updated EPEAT Criteria in the coming years, and remains committed to supporting Participating Manufacturers, GEC-approved Conformity Assurance Bodies, and EPEAT Purchasers during the process.

GEC is holding three informational sessions for stakeholders to highlight key aspects of the implementation plan and answer any questions. Since the implementation plan is considered final, no further feedback will be accepted during these sessions.

To accommodate worldwide locations, we have scheduled three times for this call – note that the same topics will be discussed in each call. If you are interested in participating, please use the registration links below.

Informational Call #1

 

Register in advance for Call #1

6 am North America Pacific time on February 22, 2023

9 am North America Eastern time on February 22, 2023

3 pm Central European time on February 22, 2023

10 pm Beijing time on February 22, 2023

Informational Call #2 Register in advance for Call #2

11 am North America Pacific time on February 22, 2023

2 pm North America Eastern time on February 22, 2023

8 pm Central European time on February 22, 2023

3 am Beijing time on February 23, 2023

Informational Call #3 Register in advance for Call #3

5 pm North America Pacific time on February 22, 2023

8 pm North America Eastern time on February 22, 2023

2 am Central European time on February 23, 2023

9 am Beijing time on February 23, 2023

Please direct any questions about the implementation plan to EPEAT@gec.org