Global Electronics Council Unveils Updated EPEAT Criteria to Drive Sustainability
The Global Electronics Council (GEC) has officially released its updated EPEAT criteria, marking the completion of a multi-year effort to enhance sustainability throughout the lifecycle of electronic products. This milestone reinforces EPEAT’s position as the leading global ecolabel for electronics, enabling thousands of buyers to cut costs while promoting environmental and human well-being.
Set to take effect on November 1, 2025, the revised criteria cover key sustainability areas, including Climate, Circularity, Chemicals, and Responsible Supply Chains. With these updates, electronics brands and consumers gain a stronger market signal to drive sustainability forward. Since its launch in 2006, EPEAT has contributed to the reduction of 341 million metric tons of CO2 equivalents, 800 thousand gigawatt hours of energy savings, and $34 billion in lifetime product savings.
Advancing Sustainable Electronics
“With the introduction of these updated EPEAT criteria, we are delivering the most comprehensive approach yet to accelerate the sustainable electronics market worldwide,” said Bob Mitchell, CEO of GEC.
These criteria address crucial environmental and social challenges—ranging from emissions reduction to fair labor practices—empowering both businesses and consumers to make responsible, informed choices.”
The revised standards align the global electronics sector with best practices in sustainability and ethical sourcing, focusing on four core areas:
Climate – Supports greenhouse gas reduction and cost savings through supply chain decarbonization, enhanced energy efficiency, and science-based targets. Circularity – Encourages sustainable resource use by emphasizing recycled materials, product repairability, and responsible end-of-life management. Chemicals – Aims to minimize hazardous substances in electronics while improving supply chain transparency. Responsible Supply Chains – Strengthens protections for labor and human rights, enhances environmental management, and promotes ethical mineral sourcing in the global electronics industry. The Global Electronics Council (GEC) has officially released its updated EPEAT criteria, marking the completion of a multi-year effort to enhance sustainability throughout the lifecycle of electronic products. This milestone reinforces EPEAT’s position as the leading global ecolabel for electronics, enabling thousands of buyers to cut costs while promoting environmental and human well-being.
Set to take effect on November 1, 2025, the revised criteria cover key sustainability areas, including Climate, Circularity, Chemicals, and Responsible Supply Chains. With these updates, electronics brands and consumers gain a stronger market signal to drive sustainability forward. Since its launch in 2006, EPEAT has contributed to the reduction of 341 million metric tons of CO2 equivalents, 800 thousand gigawatt hours of energy savings, and $34 billion in lifetime product savings.
Advancing Sustainable Electronics
“With the introduction of these updated EPEAT criteria, we are delivering the most comprehensive approach yet to accelerate the sustainable electronics market worldwide,” said Bob Mitchell, CEO of GEC.
These criteria address crucial environmental and social challenges—ranging from emissions reduction to fair labor practices—empowering both businesses and consumers to make responsible, informed choices.”
The revised standards align the global electronics sector with best practices in sustainability and ethical sourcing, focusing on four core areas:
Developed through a multi-stakeholder, consensus-based process, the updated EPEAT criteria align with international sustainability goals and provide institutional purchasers with a trusted framework for identifying environmentally responsible electronics.
Paul Chamberland, Chief Information Officer at McGill University, shared his enthusiasm for the new standards, stating, “We look forward to sourcing electronics that meet these updated criteria as soon as they appear in the EPEAT registry. As McGill works to track and manage key environmental and social impacts across its supply chain, we are proud to have played a role in shaping these standards and recognize their value in supporting responsible purchasing.”
If you would like to know more, do contact:
Erik Fessler
Senior Manager, Global Communications
+1 971-380-4088
efessler@gec.org
Paul Chamberland, Chief Information Officer at McGill University, shared his enthusiasm for the new standards, stating, “We look forward to sourcing electronics that meet these updated criteria as soon as they appear in the EPEAT registry. As McGill works to track and manage key environmental and social impacts across its supply chain, we are proud to have played a role in shaping these standards and recognize their value in supporting responsible purchasing.”
If you would like to know more, do contact:
Erik Fessler
Senior Manager, Global Communications
+1 971-380-4088
efessler@gec.org