Apple reconsiders decision to opt out of green registry after threats to sales

Computer giant Apple is rejoining a green certification scheme after serious threats to its sales. 

 

A boycott led by the city of San Francisco urged Apple to reconsider its decision to opt out of the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment (Epeat) registry. 

 

Although a founder member of Epeat, Apple recently introduced manufacturing techniques that make disassembling its computers difficult and prevent even experts from upgrading or recycling its devices. This would have stopped future products from achieving Epeat’s highest rating. 

 

The US government requires most of the electronic equipment it buys to carry the Epeat certification, so the future purchase of Apple computers by government bodies, schools and some businesses was threatened by the company’s withdrawal from the scheme. 

 

Admitting the decision to quit Epeat was a “mistake”, Bob Mansfield, Apple’s senior vice-president for hardware engineering, said: “It’s important to know that our commitment to protecting the environment has never changed, and today it is as strong as ever.”

 

The San Francisco Department of the Environment said it was “pleased to learn that Apple is rejoining Epeat”.