Earth Protect Blog

By Adam Satariano and Kathleen Chaykowski

Apple Inc. (AAPL) said it’s rejoining an environmental rating system after its exit from the group threatened to halt sales to governments and universities that use the registry when making purchasing decisions.

Apple’s decision to drop out of the environmental system called EPEAT was a “mistake” and its eligible products are now back on the registry, Bob Mansfield, Apple’s senior vice president for hardware engineering, said in a statement posted on the company’s website.

“It’s important to know that our commitment to protecting the environment has never changed, and today it is as strong as ever,” Mansfield said in the statement.

San Francisco officials said earlier this week that the city planned to suspend purchases of Apple computers after it withdrew from the rating system, which is used to determine the environmental impact of electronics. Many colleges that use EPEAT to guide purchasing decisions, including the University of California, said they were considering following suit. “Our relationship with EPEAT has become stronger as a result of this experience,” Mansfield said, adding that the company would be working with the group to help the current rating system “evolve.”

Robert Frisbee, EPEAT’s chief executive officer, said the group “looked forward to Apple’s strong creative thoughts on ongoing standards development.” 

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