Apple reverses EPEAT exit, will relist productsIn a complete reversal, Apple announced today that it will no longer pull its products from the EPEAT registry. In an open letter posted on the company's website, Senior Hardware Engineering VP Bob Mansfield acknowledged the public disappointment in Apple's earlier decision to abandon the green electronics rating system and said that as of today, all eligible products will be relisted on the EPEAT registry. The company's earlier decision to abandon the ranking system sparked wide-ranging public criticism, as well as a backlash from many large purchasers of IT products, such as the federal government, state and local governments, and other large companies and organizations that have EPEAT requirements as part of their procurement policies. In attempting to diffuse the controversy, Apple had pointed to many of its energy use, materials use and emissions improvements included in the products. The company still maintains that revisions to the IEEE 1680.1 standard, which EPEAT is partially based on, are needed. "It's important to know that our commitment to protecting the environment has never changed, and today it is as strong as ever," said Mansfield in the letter. "Apple makes the most environmentally responsible products in our industry. In fact, our engineering teams have worked incredibly 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." | 