After abandoning the EPEAT environmental rating for its computers, Apple saw many people question its attitude. It was no wonder that company spokeswoman Kristin Huguet came to the public to comment on the matter three days after the news.
Today, through a letter on the page “Apple and the Environment” (“Apple and the Environment”), Bob Mansfield, senior vice president of hardware engineering who will soon retire, by the way, wrote an open letter on the subject.
Below, our free translation:
Recently, we have heard from many loyal Apple customers a disappointment to learn that we have removed the EPEAT rating from our products. I acknowledge that this was a mistake. As of today, all eligible Apple products are again (in the classification) EPEAT.
It is important to know that our commitment to protecting the environment has never changed, and today it is as strong as ever. Apple makes the most environmentally responsible products in our industry. In fact, our engineering teams have worked hard over the years to make our products even more environmentally friendly, and much of our progress has come in areas not yet measured by EPEAT.
For example, Apple led the industry in eliminating harmful toxins such as brominated flame retardants (BFR) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). We are the only company to comprehensively communicate greenhouse gas emissions from all products we make, taking into account the entire product life cycle. And we remove plastics whenever possible, in favor of materials that are more recyclable, durable, efficient and long lasting.
Perhaps more importantly, we make the most energy efficient computers in the world, and our product line exceeds the stringent Energy Star 5.2 government standard. No one else in our industry can make that claim.
We think that the IEEE 1680.1 standard could be something much stronger to protect the environment if it were updated to include advances like these. This standard, on which the EPEAT classification system is based, is an important measure for our industry and its products.
As a result of this experience, our relationship with EPEAT has grown stronger, and we look forward to working with EPEAT as its rating system and the IEEE 1680.1 standard evolve. Our team at Apple dedicated to designing products that everyone can be proud to own and use.
Bob
In short: for Apple, the classification is not keeping up with the rapid progress of its products, and for this reason, it felt better to abandon it for good. But due to the outcry, Ma came back and is talking to EPEAT to have the rating system reviewed.
Meanwhile, the Macs are there, properly classified, ready to be bought by government agencies who must have been saddened by the news that they could no longer purchase Macintoshes. In the end, money always speaks louder
(via TNW)
