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152 P P a r t I I I : a r t I I I : W h a t Y o u C a n D oh a t Y o u C a n D o

The complete set of performance criteria includes 23 required criteria and 28 optional
criteria in eight categories. To be registered as EPEAT certified, products must meet all
the required criteria. Products may then achieve a higher-level EPEAT rating by meeting
additional, optional criteria.
The three levels of EPEAT certification establish how well a given device meets the
EPEAT requirements. Table 8-1 compares the EPEAT environmental tiers.
EPEAT maintains a listing of certified devices on its website. For example, Figure 8-1
shows a sample listing of gold-rated laptop computers.
You can find out which devices are currently EPEAT certified by visiting the EPEAT
website at www.epeat.net, or by following Link 8-1.

RoHS
European businesses are already required to be environmentally responsible
because of Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) laws. That certification
doesn’t simply apply to products sold in the European Union. Plenty of RoHS-certified
devices are offered all over the world. It’s easy to tell whether equipment is RoHS
compliant because companies tend to advertise the fact when their equipment is RoHS
compliant.

NOTE If your business is located in California, you are already well aware of the RoHS laws. As of
January 2007, businesses in California are forbidden to buy any hardware that is banned under
European RoHS law.

Further, if you are ordering a lot of computers from a manufacturer, you can be sure
to tell the manufacturer you want your computers to be RoHS compliant. For example,
Toshiba will build computers that are lead-free and meet other RoHS guidelines.

NOTE You can read more about RoHS in Chapter 2.

Certification
Level Requirements
Bronze Product meets all required criteria.
Silver Product meets all required criteria plus at least 50 percent of the optional
criteria that apply to the product type being registered.
Gold Product meets all required criteria plus at least 75 percent of the optional
criteria that apply to the product type being registered.

TABLE 8-1 The Three Levels of EPEAT Certification