Apple has responded to concerns surrounding their request to remove the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) EPEAT (Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool) certification from 39 of their product lines. A statement issued to The Loop reads, in part:
Apple takes a comprehensive approach to measuring our environmental impact and all of our products meet the strictest energy efficiency standards backed by the US government, Energy Star 5.2.
As was mentioned when the story broke, EPEAT is not applicable to iPhone or iPad, so while certain organizations are barred from purchasing non-certified computer equipment, non-iOS, non-consumer products make up a relatively small portion of Apple's customer and revenue base.
Apple does lead the industry in environmental disclosure, and they maintain their own recycling program. Given their success, however, Apple also faces amongst the toughest scrutiny in the industry. So it remains to be seen whether Apple plans to stick with Energy Star, wait for an updated EPEAT, or simply go their own way.
Read the rest of Apple's statement, and some spot-on analysis from Jim Dalrymple via the link below.
Source: The Loop
