Feature

GREENGUARD Expands into Certifying Computers and Electronics
GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI), the nation’s largest certifier of chemical emissions from building products and furnishings, announces the expansion of its certification efforts to include computers and other electronic devices. As part of its expansion, GEI is also pleased to announce GREENGUARD Certification of Lenovo’s M57/M57P “Eco”, the first computing device to attain this certification.

Electronics, including monitors, computers and printers, can emit chemicals and particles into the air, particularly when in use,” says Carl E. Smith, CEO of GEI. “These chemicals may trigger a range of health issues, including asthma, allergies and other irritating reactions.” With this new certification, consumers now have a way to identify computers and other electronic products that have been subjected to rigorous testing, and found to be free of toxic emissions.

GEI runs the only program in the US that certifies computers, printers and other electronic devices for chemical emissions. The GREENGUARD program measures chemical “outgassing” of the product during normal use and operation. Measured emissions are then compared to an extensive list of publicly available short term and long term health risk exposure levels available from the US Environmental Protection Agency, Occupational Safety Health Administration, the state of California, and CDC’s Registry of Toxic Substances.

For almost twenty years, researchers have reported on emissions of potentially harmful chemicals from electronic devices. In Europe, the chemical content of computing and electronic devices are controlled through recently enacted European Union regulation, known as the RoHS Directive, and through certification of chemical emissions, under programs like Germany’s Blue Angel. The US has yet to adopt similar requirements, although some jurisdictions and other organizations are exploring the issue.

Not only is the Eco the first GREENGUARD Certified computer, it also is the First ThinkCentre product with recycled, post-consumer plastics, EPEAT Gold rated, and Energy Star® 4.0 rated. “We applaud Lenovo for taking such a leadership position in sustainable design,” says Smith. “Being the ‘first’ can be difficult yet Lenovo has shown its unwavering commitment to developing ‘green’ computing products.”

“The M57/M57P raised the bar by developing a small, compact offering that provides the highest levels of manageability and security while operating with less power consumption and noise,” said Fran O’Sullivan, senior vice president of products, Lenovo. “With GREENGUARD Certification, this is Lenovo’s most environmentally sensitive ThinkCentre ever!”

GEI, founded in 2001, currently certifies over 150,000 products and materials for emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other chemicals. GREENGUARD Certification is broadly recognized and accepted by a number of “green” building programs, including the United States Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED® program.

An online guide of GREENGUARD Certified products is available at www.greenguard.org at no cost to the user.

GREENGUARD News

GEI often serves as a resource for publications and media outlets, providing information on various topics that relate to product emissions and indoor air quality. The following represent recent articles/features.

Contract Magazine
How Children are Our Sustainable Future

Environmental Compliance Bulletin (January 2008)
Green Product Use Offers Market Advantage, Safety
Reproduced with permission from BNA's Environmental Compliance Bulletin, Vol. 15, No. 2 (Jan. 28, 2008), p. 32. Copyright 2008 by The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. (800-372-1033) http://www.bna.com

Design Quarterly (Winter 2008)
Moving Furniture Towards Green

To read these and past articles, visit the Press Room/Articles under the "About GEI" tab of our website. Read More...

Upcoming Events

In the next few months, GREENGUARD will be participating in several events. For more information, please visit the Events tab listed under About GEI.

Green Technology Online Expo (GEI exhibiting)
Online Exhibit, March 20, 2008, 9:30am - 6:00pm EST

Greenprints (GEI attending)
Westin Peachtree Plaza - Atlanta, GA/March 13th & 14th, 2008

International Window Coverings Expo (GEI exhibiting)
Georgia World Congress Center - Atlanta, GA/March 26th - 29th, 2008

GEI Webinar (sponsored by IFMA)
Online Webinar/April 15th, 2008, 2:00pm EST

AIA National Conference (GEI speaking)
Boston Exhibition and Convention Center - Boston, MA/May 15th - 17th, 2008

For a snapshot of GEI's 2008 events, click on 2008 Calendar under the About GEI/Events tab. We will continue to update this information, and appreciate any feedback from you.