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Commission sets criteria for eco-friendly computers

The European Commission has published a Decision establishing ecological criteria for the award of the Community eco-label to personal computers (PCs) (1999/205/EC). The Community is currently negotiating an agreement on the coordination of energy labelling, based on the US ...

The European Commission has published a Decision establishing ecological criteria for the award of the Community eco-label to personal computers (PCs) (1999/205/EC). The Community is currently negotiating an agreement on the coordination of energy labelling, based on the US 'Energy Star' programme. It believes it is appropriate to revise the criteria for energy requirements to adapt to technological innovation, market developments, and the Energy Star programme, over the next two years. The Decision relates to PCs under the following definition: "commercially available stationary computers consisting of a monitor, system unit and keyboard'. To be awarded an eco-label, PCs must comply with the criteria set by the Commission in the annex to this Decision. These are aimed to minimize environmental damage or risks related to using energy by reducing energy consumption. They are also aimed to reduce environmental damage, related to the use of natural resources, by encouraging 'upgradability', 'recyclability', and maintainability of PCs. The key criteria associated with the Decision relate to energy savings that can be made in the design of monitors and control units. Manufacturers are also required, under this Decision, to offer a commercial guarantee to ensure that the system unit and keyboard will function for at least three years, and that the monitor will function for at least one year. Manufacturers will also have to conform to procedures for best practice, set out in this legislation, which include that they guarantee to take-back PCs and the components being replaced, unless they have been contaminated by users (in medical and nuclear applications, for example). The Decision also includes legislation on testing and what information manufacturers must supply to consumers relating to their PCs.