Computers and office equipment are the fastest-growing consumers of electricity in the commercial sector but are also very wasteful, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). To minimize this waste, the EPA created the ENERGY STAR program. The program awards an ENERGY STARSM logo to personal computers (PCs), monitors, printers, fax machines, photocopiers, and energy-saving computer retrofit devices that manufacturers claim under contract meet minimum energy-efficiency guidelines without compromising office compatibility. In order to qualify, office equipment generally must be able to automatically "power down" to a lower wattage "stand-by mode" or "off mode." For example, PCs and monitors must automatically power down to a stand-by mode of 30 watts or less each after a certain period of user inactivity.
Manufacturers "self-certify" office equipment to qualify for the ENERGY STAR label: the Program does not verify the performance of products submitted for certification, nor does it require the product to be tested or certified by an independent laboratory or third-party organization. Consequently, a manufacturer does not pay a fee to apply for the ENERGY STAR label. This does leave the door open to the possibility that certain products are not as energy-efficient as manufacturers say they are. In fact, Green Seal's research on ENERGY STAR-certified computers revealed that some PC's failed to perform their purported energy-efficient functions, completely turning off instead of powering down. It is not clear whether the manufacturer had misrepresented the PC's abilities or if these PCs had fixable office-compatibility problems. EPA says it will investigate any product whose performance is in doubt and decertify products that fail to meet certification guidelines. So long as consumers have the information to file complaints, and competitors the incentive, this could deter manufacturers from submitting products for ENERGY STAR certification that perform less efficiently than stated. Adds Andrew Fanara, Program Manager of the ENERGY STAR Office Equipment Program, "It is the rare exception that we find computers that aren't performing at levels claimed by the manufacturer." Program Manager Jennifer Dolin notes that purchasing agents and other consumers can and should require that manufacturers submitting bids furnish test results to show that their products satisfy ENERGY STAR guidelines.
On Earth Day, 1993, President Clinton issued Executive Order #12845 requiring all Federal Agencies to purchase only PCs, monitors, and printers that meet ENERGY STAR specifications. In the first year of the program, the Federal Government purchased 292,041 computers, 167,347 monitors, and 64,773 printers which met ENERGY STAR guidelines. As of December 1, 1995, thousands of PC models, comprising between 85 and 90 percent of manufactured PCs, have earned the ENERGY STAR label.
EPA keeps a directory of all office equipment that complies with ENERGY STAR Guidelines. It is available in hard-copy format and over the Internet. There are two versions of the directory available:
* A COMPLETE LISTING. This directory is divided into six sections
(Computers, Monitors, Printers, Faxes, Copiers, and Retrofit Devices) and
allows the reader to compare the power-down ability of all of the models that
conform to his/her specific performance needs (such as computer speed). The
Computer section, for example, lists computers that comply by type (PC, Docking
Station, Portable, Workstation, or X-Terminal) and by Chip (386, 486, Pentium,
Power PC, and others), and records each computer's power-down wattage, speed
and size, network capability, and in some cases its GSA ordering number. The
introduction to the computer directory calls the reader's attention to the
model with the lowest reported stand-by power consumption and to the highest
speed ENERGY STAR computer (133 Mhz). The complete ENERGY STAR directory is
available in hard copy or disk format. To request a free copy by mail, call the
ENERGY STAR Office Equipment hotline at (202) 775-6650.
* ABBREVIATED LISTINGS. These directories list compliant products by type
and manufacturer without any further product description. Each product category
is a separate document with the exception that printers and faxes are combined
into one document. This information can be obtained over the Internet or by
fax. If you have a graphical browser, such as Mosaic or Netscape, you can do a
text search of ENERGY STAR products on the World Wide Web by going to
http://www.epa.gov/docs/GCDOAR/EnergyStar.html. For gopher, point your browser
toward gopher.epa.gov and look for the ENERGY STAR Computers Product Listing
under "Consumer Information." To obtain a fax copy, call the ENERGY STAR Fax
Line at (202) 233-9659 and order document #4405 for computers, #4410 for
printers/fax machines, #4415 for monitors, #4420 for retrofit devices, and
#4425 for copiers.
The information contained in these product listings is only as accurate as the information provided by the manufacturer. The program's inventory of compliant office equipment may not be updated. Green Seal found in December, 1995 that several listed models had been discontinued or modified by the manufacturer. Consumers should double check with the manufacturer to ensure that sought-after ENERGY STAR office equipment is still available.
For more information: Energy Star General Information Hotline: (202)
775-6650 (Call this to get exact language for specifying Energy Star
equipment.)
* 24 hr. Fax-Back Service Line: (202) 233-9659
* For
additional procurement questions, contact Jennifer Dolin at (202)
233-9073.
(See "Green Seal: The Green Stamp of Approval.")
NEW YORK STATE ENERGY
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (NYSERDA)
NYSERDA has made it easier for procurement officials to identify the most energy-efficient appliances available on the market through its Appliance Directories. NYSERDA's Directories list on average only those products whose energy efficiency is in the top 25 percent of the market. Minimum energy-efficiency levels are set for each product type based on a consensus reached by New York State utilities.
Much, but not all, of NYSERDA's data are gathered from trade association-certified information or from random laboratory tests of manufacturer-supplied data. This applies to its listings of lamp ballasts, water heaters, water source central air conditioners, and air, ground, and water-source heat pumps. Data on electric motors, compact fluorescent fixtures, compact fluorescent lamps, commercial lamp ballasts, commercial fixtures, refrigerator-freezers, freezers, electric chillers, and heat operated cooling equipment are not "independently" verified; they are obtained directly from manufacturers.
According to Associate Project Manager Lee Smith, NYSERDA determines the top 25 percent of energy-efficient products after analyzing "nearly all of the products on the market." NYSERDA's Appliance Directories are available in paper format. Limited copies are available free-of-charge.
For more information: contact Lee Smith, Appliance Directories, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, 2 Empire State Plaza, Suite 1901, Albany, NY 12223-1253 Phone: (518) 465-6251 Fax: (518) 449-4989
ENVIRONMENTAL CHOICE
PROGRAM (ECP)
The ECP is a program operated by Environment Canada, a division of the Canadian Federal government that is similar to the U.S. EPA. ECP certifies and awards an EcoLogo label to products and services that "are more environmentally responsible." An appointed Environmental Choice Board sets environmental criteria for products and services for their life-cycle (production, transportation, use, and disposal). As of 1994, ECP had established 29 standards in over 65 product and service categories including energy-efficient lights, water and energy conserving plumbing fixtures, heat recovery ventilators, and thermal insulation building materials.
Manufacturers and service providers who apply for the label must agree to an independent verification and testing process. They must also pay a fee to have products certified and to use the EcoLogo once certified. The EcoLogo label has been given to over 700 products and services so far. ECP prints a free Certified Products and Services directory that lists approved goods and services by product type and describes how and where to find them. ECP also produces and distributes factsheets that explain how and why the criteria were chosen for each product and service category.
For more information, contact: TerraChoice Environmental Services, Inc., 2197 Riverside Drive, Suite 300, Ottawa, ON, K1H 7X3, Tel: (613) 247-1900 Fax: (613) 247-2228
EUROPEAN COMMUNITY
ECO-LABELING
Since 1992, the European Community has operated an eco-labeling program to distinguish products for EC consumers that "least hurt the environment." Each product group must meet ecological and performance criteria. The ecological criteria are set by using "cradle-to-grave" (life-cycle) analysis. Additionally, products must qualify "without compromising product or workers' safety or significantly affecting the properties which make a product fit for use."
Manufacturers apply for an eco-label voluntarily. The program is funded through fees paid by manufacturers to cover the cost of application. The EC eco-label complements existing labeling programs such as the German Blue Angel, the French Green Leaf, and the Nordic Swan, rather than displacing them.
The German Blue Angel, established in 1977, is the world's oldest eco-label. This program produces information written in English about its award criteria, awarded products and complete addresses of participating manufacturers. This can be obtained by asking for a copy of Environmental Label: Product Requirements, Label Users, and Products.
For more information on Blue Angel:, Umweltbundesant, ZAD, Bismarckplatz 1, Berlin, GERMANY 33 Phone: 49-30-231-45706
To reach the EC's Ecolabeling Program: Jerry Rendell, UK Ecolabeling Board, 7th Floor, East Bury House, 3034, Albert Embankment, London SEI-7TL, UK Phone: 44-718201199 Fax: 44-718201104
SWEDISH CONFEDERATION OF PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES (TCO)
In an effort to encourage computer manufacturers to provide workers and consumers with equipment that is energy-efficient, ergonomically-designed and relatively environmentally benign, the 1.3 million member Swedish Confederation of Professional Employees, known as TCO, has devised standards and an eco-labeling program for computer video display monitors (VDTs), processing units (CPUs), keyboards and accessories. These standards have been devised in conjunction with SEMKO AB - a product testing and certification laboratory, NUTEK - the government-based National Board for Industrial and Technical Development, and the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation.
TCO awards its TCO '95 eco-label to computer products based on the following
considerations:
*energy efficiency;
*level of radiation emissions;
*ozone "friendliness" of production and packaging;
*recyclability;
*extent that it is returnable;
*toxicity of its components and manufacture;
*ergonomic design;
*noise level; and
*electrical safety.
TCO has set firm standards in each of these categories that must be met for a computer product to qualify. For example, in order to satisfy the energy-efficiency requirement for TCO-95 eco-certification, CPUs and VDTs must automatically power-down to 30 watts or less after five minutes of inactivity and, going beyond EPA's ENERGY STAR requirements, also automatically enter a lower 'sleep' mode (less than 8 watts) after 60 minutes of inactivity.
Ten companies that cumulatively market 43 models of computer monitors in the United States have received certification according to TCO's 1992 standards for monitors. While TCO-certified computers are just starting to penetrate the market in the United States, they are popular in Europe, particularly among government agencies. TCO certification is in most cases, for example, a requirement for government contracts in Germany.
For more information, contact: Agneta Rosenberg, TCO Information Center, 150 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1200, Chicago, IL, 60601-7594; (312) 781-6223; fax: (312) 346-0683. Nutek's Web site: www.nutek.se