A Defining Moment for Sustainable Tech
The Global Electronics Council® (GEC) has officially unveiled its updated EPEAT® criteria, marking a significant leap forward in sustainable electronics. This long-anticipated update strengthens environmental and ethical standards in an industry responsible for massive carbon footprints, e-waste challenges, and complex supply chain dynamics.
Set to take effect on November 1, 2025, the new EPEAT criteria align with global sustainability goals, offering electronics brands, institutional purchasers, and consumers a credible benchmark for evaluating sustainability performance. This evolution cements EPEAT as the leading global ecolabel for electronics, helping thousands of businesses and governments reduce costs while prioritizing climate action and social responsibility.
Bob Mitchell, CEO of GEC, summed it up perfectly:
"With the completion of the updated EPEAT criteria, we are providing the most comprehensive approach yet to accelerate the international market for sustainable electronics. These criteria address critical environmental and social challenges, from emissions reduction to supply chain labor practices, empowering both the industry and purchasers to make informed, responsible choices that benefit all stakeholders."
But what exactly do these new standards mean? How do they reshape the electronics industry? Let’s dive deeper.
1. A Holistic Approach: The Four Pillars of EPEAT’s New Standards
The revised EPEAT framework addresses sustainability across the entire lifecycle of electronic products, focusing on four key areas:
1. Climate Impact
- Lowering emissions: Companies must set science-based targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- Energy efficiency: Electronics must meet stricter energy performance requirements to cut long-term costs for users.
- Supply chain decarbonization: Companies will be required to adopt low-carbon practices across manufacturing and logistics.
2. Circular Economy & Resource Efficiency
- Recycled materials: Greater use of post-consumer recycled content to reduce reliance on virgin raw materials.
- Reparability & longevity: Devices must be easier to repair, upgrade, and recycle, extending their useful life and reducing e-waste.
- Responsible end-of-life management: Strict take-back and recycling programs to prevent electronics from polluting landfills.
3. Chemical Transparency & Safety
- Stronger restrictions on hazardous chemicals: Companies must phase out toxic materials that pose risks to human health and the environment.
- Improved supply chain transparency: More comprehensive chemical reporting ensures customers know what substances are in their devices.
4. Ethical & Responsible Supply Chains
- Human rights protections: Manufacturers must comply with international labor laws to prevent worker exploitation.
- Environmental responsibility in sourcing: Ethical mining practices and conflict-free mineral sourcing will be prioritized.
- Strict supplier accountability: Companies must ensure that third-party suppliers adhere to responsible environmental and labor practices.
2. The Impact: What This Means for Businesses, Governments & Consumers
These new sustainability criteria aren't just guidelines—they’re a game-changer for multiple stakeholders:
Businesses & Manufacturers:
- Electronics companies that meet EPEAT criteria will gain a competitive edge, benefiting from green procurement contracts and an eco-conscious customer base.
- Organizations will cut costs through energy efficiency, sustainable sourcing, and improved resource management.
Governments & Institutional Buyers:
- Major purchasers—including universities, tech companies, and federal agencies—can now ensure their IT procurement aligns with climate goals.
- Cities and nations working toward Net Zero commitments can leverage these criteria to accelerate their climate action.
Consumers & End Users:
- Everyday consumers will finally have a trusted ecolabel to identify sustainable electronics.
- Longer-lasting products and easier repairs mean less waste and lower costs over time.
Paul Chamberland, McGill University’s Chief Information Officer, echoed this sentiment:
"As McGill seeks to track and manage key environmental and social impacts through its supply chain, we appreciate the value of this framework to help us source more responsibly made electronics."
3. The Bigger Picture: Why This Matters for the Planet
Since EPEAT’s inception in 2006, the program has already delivered remarkable environmental benefits:
- 341 million metric tons of CO₂ have been prevented from entering the atmosphere.
800,000 gigawatt hours of energy have been saved—enough to power millions of homes. - $34 billion in product lifetime savings have been generated for businesses and consumers.
With these new and improved sustainability standards, the impact is only expected to grow. By ensuring electronics are designed, sourced, and manufactured responsibly, the Global Electronics Council is leading an industry-wide transformation that is both urgent and necessary.
Final Thoughts: A Step Toward a Greener Digital World
As the climate crisis intensifies, the electronics sector must evolve—and the new EPEAT criteria provide a clear roadmap for that transition. Companies that fail to adapt risk falling behind, while those that embrace sustainability will thrive.
For consumers, businesses, and institutions alike, this is a crucial opportunity to rethink how we engage with technology. From reducing electronic waste to supporting ethical supply chains, every decision counts.
The countdown to November 1, 2025, has begun. Will the industry rise to the challenge? The future of sustainable electronics—and the planet—depends on it.
What are your thoughts on the new EPEAT criteria? Will they influence your future electronics purchases? Let’s discuss in the comments!
Thank you for reading!
