GEC at the Responsible Business 2024 Annual Conference
EVOLVING SUSTAINABLE ELECTRONICS: READYING THE SUPPLY CHAIN FOR NEXT GENERATION EPEAT CRITERIA
November 21, 2024, 9 am – 12 pm PST
The EPEAT ecolabel has been a vital signal in the technology market for nearly 20 years, aligning purchasers, electronics brands and other stakeholders on a shared definition of what it means for a product to be “sustainable”. This definition is evolving after years of multi-stakeholder efforts to revise the EPEAT criteria, creating a new benchmark to meet growing expectations in this area. Not only will the next generation of EPEAT criteria raise the bar for the global community, but it will also require significantly more interaction with supply chain partners.
Join the Global Electronics Council (GEC) at the Responsible Business 2024 Annual Conference for an interactive event on the important role of supply chain partners in sustainable product development, including final assembly and component manufacturer’s role in meeting these upcoming revisions to the EPEAT ecolabel standards.
Explore these criteria revisions and supplier specific requirements addressing four material areas, including:
- Responsible Supply Chain
- 気候
- Circularity
- Chemicals
In addition, we will dive into how Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) and Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) tools and resources can accelerate meeting these criteria. As a participant you will be able to gain insights into the resources, programs and advisory services designed to help your company and suppliers become “EPEAT Ready”. Don’t miss out on this 3-hour partner event – attendance is complementary, and refreshments will be available!
Featured speakers
Balan Shanmuganathan
Cassie Gruber
Christy Jung
Lead Program Manager, HP
ボブ・ミッチェル
Chief Executive Officer, Global Electronics Council
パトリシア・ディロン
Vice President, Criteria and Category Development, Global Electronics Council
カウシク・ラマクリシュナン
Vice President, Global Market Development and Strategy, Global Electronics Council
Event Agenda
November 21, 2024 • All times below are in local Pacific Standard Time
9:00 am – 10:00 am – The Next Phase of EPEAT: GEC’s Goals for Sustainable Impact and the Updated EPEAT Criteria
Join GEC leaders as they share how the EPEAT ecolabel is evolving to expand coverage of material sustainability topics and strengthen supply chain engagement through the implementation of the next generation of EPEAT Criteria. The session will cover a holistic overview of the newly revised criteria, spotlighting critical advancements in responsible supply chains, climate impact reduction, chemical safety, and circular product design. A fireside chat will follow, diving into how these evolving standards will shape the future of sustainable electronics and drive measurable change across the industry.
10:00 am – 11:00 am – Supply Chain Perspectives: A Deep Dive into EPEAT’s Revised Criteria
Explore the Updated EPEAT Criteria from a supplier’s point of view in this session. We’ll walk through the complexities of the updated criteria, offering practical insights on how these changes impact each stage of the supply chain. In our second fireside chat, an industry expert will delve into the challenges and opportunities these criteria bring to component manufacturing, helping attendees understand the full scope of EPEAT’s impact on suppliers.
11:00 am – 11:30 am – GEC Supplier Engagement: Resources and Programs to Accelerate Supply Chain Readiness
Get equipped with the tools and resources GEC offers to help suppliers meet the revised EPEAT Criteria. This session will provide an overview of upcoming resources, programs and advisory services to create an “EPEAT Ready” supply chain. Our final fireside chat will follow, offer candid insights on supplier engagement, highlighting ways to foster collaboration and drive meaningful results.
11:30 am – 12:00 pm – Round Tables with GEC
Designed as an open forum, this session offers attendees dedicated office hours and one-on-one meetings with GEC staff to address specific questions from previous sessions. Whether you need clarification on criteria, supplier resources, or guidance on the upcoming criteria changes, this open forum provides the personalized support you need to navigate the next generation EPEAT criteria with confidence.
More about the Global Electronics Council
GEC is working to accelerate systemic change to create a 100% sustainable electronics industry by 2050. This means net-zero emissions, zero waste, water neutrality and minimal adverse impact on the environment and human rights throughout the life cycle of products and services.
As stewards of the EPEAT ecolabel, we set the global standard for sustainable electronics. We empower electronics manufacturers and buyers to meet their sustainability goals through our world-leading accreditation, advocacy and leadership. We are reshaping the world’s relationship with technology and natural resources and enabling the transformation of electronics from an escalating environmental and social challenge into an empowering, sustainable solution.
More about the Responsible Business Alliance
The Responsible Business Alliance is the world’s largest industry coalition dedicated to responsible business conduct in global supply chains.
Founded in 2004 by a group of leading electronics companies, the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA), formerly the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC), is a nonprofit comprised of electronics, retail, auto and toy companies committed to supporting the rights and well-being of workers and communities worldwide affected by global supply chains. RBA members commit and are held accountable to a common Code of Conduct and utilize a range of RBA training and assessment tools to support continuous improvement in the social, environmental and ethical responsibility of their supply chains. In addition to RBA members, thousands of companies that are Tier 1 suppliers to members are required to implement the RBA Code of Conduct. Visit https://www.responsiblebusiness.org/about/rba/ for more information.
パトリシア・ディロン
Vice President, Criteria and Category Development, Global Electronics Council
新規および既存のEPEAT製品カテゴリーやその他のGECの取り組みについて、クライテリア開発プロセス、戦略、チームを統括しています。GECのクライテリア開発プロセスを、より効率的で機敏な科学主導のプロセスへと変革し、広く多様なステークホルダーや専門家の参加を促すためのイニシアチブを主導しています。彼女のチームは、新製品カテゴリーの継続的な監視と開発、エレクトロニクスの持続可能性への影響とその影響を軽減する戦略に関するState of Sustainability Researchの準備、EPEATレジストリに実装するための持続可能性基準を構築し維持するマルチステークホルダープロセスの管理、GECのエレクトロニクス環境メリット計算機の開発などに責任を負っています。2016年にGECに入社し、コンセンサスベースのクライテリア開発への深い理解とEPEATとの長い付き合いを持っています。EPEATの基礎となる基準には、設立当初から関わり、最初は最初のコンピュータ基準の策定に招かれたステークホルダーとして、その後、テレビ、サーバー、太陽光発電の基準のリーダー職を務めています。
30年以上にわたり、規格開発、環境政策、ビジネス戦略の研究、ファシリテーション、プログラムマネジメントに携わり、エレクトロニクス、プラスチック、パッケージングの分野で幅広く活躍しています。GEC入社以前は、独立系コンサルタント、Northeast Recycling Councilの非常勤プログラムマネージャー（State Electronics ChallengeとToxics in Packaging Clearinghouseの運営）、タフツ大学のリサーチアソシエイトを経て、現在に至ります。タフツ大学で環境工学を専攻し土木工学の修士号を取得、タフツ大学で生物学の学士号を取得しました。
ボブ・ミッチェル
Chief Executive Officer, Global Electronics Council
グローバル・エレクトロニクス・カウンシルの最高経営責任者として、組織のビジョンと使命を果たすためのリーダーシップと戦略的監督を行う。ビジネスと人権、環境の持続可能性、非営利団体経営、企業の持続可能性とプログラムの分野で深い経歴を持つ。
元Responsible Business Alliance（RBA）人権・環境担当副社長として、多業種、マルチステークホルダー環境における責任ある企業行動プログラムの戦略策定と実施を主導。この職務において、強制労働デュー・ディリジェンス、サプライチェーンの脱炭素化、サーキュラリティ、サプライチェーン・レジリエンシーなどの分野における重要な取り組みの開始と立ち上げを推進した。
ヒューレット・パッカードとヒューレット・パッカード・エンタープライズで10年半以上サステナビリティ分野に携わったベテラン。RBAに勤務する前は、ヒューレット・パッカード・エンタープライズのグローバル社会・環境責任担当ディレクターとして、人権、製品環境スチュワードシップ、サプライチェーン責任、紛争鉱物などの専門家チームを率いた。また、RBA理事会およびソーシャル・アカウンタビリティ・インターナショナル（SAI）の諮問委員会のメンバーも務めた。アリゾナ大学でMBA、バージニア大学で学士号を取得。
カウシク・ラマクリシュナン
Vice President, Global Market Development and Strategy, Global Electronics Council
戦略的成長担当シニア・ディレクターとして、カウシク・ラマクリシュナンはGECの長期的な影響力と成長戦略を推進している。シニア・リーダーシップ・チームのメンバーとして、CEOやGECのリーダーシップと密接に協力し、組織のミッションとビジョンを実現するために、グローバルに高成長の機会を考え、インキュベートし、実現する。
民間企業、新興企業、非営利団体など、世界4大陸で20年以上の経験を持つ。持続可能性のプロフェッショナルとして、企業の持続可能性戦略、持続可能なサプライチェーン、気候変動ファイナンスに幅広く取り組んできた。GEC入社以前は、Sustainalytics、Rainforest Alliance、IDH - Sustainable Trade Initiative、Ericsson、Infosys、Pula Advisorsでリーダーシップを発揮。
ハイデラバードのインド・スクール・オブ・ビジネスでMBA、ヴィスヴェスバラヤ工科大学でコンピューターサイエンスの学士号を取得。現在はベルギーのゲントに在住。
Balan Shanmuganathan
Senior Engineering Director of Sustainability, Seagate Technology
Balan Shanmuganathan is the Senior Engineering Director of Sustainability at Seagate Technology. He has over 30 years of experience in Environmental Health & Safety and Sustainability. In his current role at Seagate, Balan has responsibility for the company’s overall Sustainability program. In the last 5 years he has been working on Seagate’s circularity efforts engaging with customers, recyclers, supply chain partners and certification bodies to advance Seagate’s circularity efforts.
Cassie Gruber
Director of Sustainability Business Solutions, Jabil
Working closely with customers and segments globally, Cassie Gruber cultivates Jabil’s circular economy strategies. An accomplished leader in the electronic recycling and sustainability industry, Cassie joined Jabil in 2018 to grow green innovative technologies as a subject matter expert on the circular economy. She supports Jabil’s customers across industries in their recycling and circular economy goals and initiatives, through the entire reverse supply chain where products and materials are reused and recycled.
After studying art and philosophy for a decade, Cassie’s career path dramatically shifted when she became a partner of a small e-waste company in Buffalo, New York. Cassie then spent two decades in the electronics recycling industry with a focus on environmental sustainability and compliance. With her vast experience and dedication to sustainability, Cassie has helped Jabil evolve toward a data-driven, circular value supply chain.
Christy Jung
Lead Program Manager, HP
Christy Jung is a Lead Program Manager at HP, specializing in Product Compliance and Sustainability. With a strong background in driving eco-label strategies, sustainability initiatives, and regulatory compliance, she leads a cross-regional team focused on advancing sustainable product development and drives decarbonization solutions with suppliers. She represents HP as a Voting Member on the EPEAT Technical Committee for the Sustainable Use of Resources Module. Christy holds a B.S. in Supply Chain Management from Arizona State University and is pursuing M.S. in Energy Policy and Climate from Johns Hopkins University.
