No Repeat For EPEAT Certification As Apple Design Evolves

In a sure-to-be-controversial decision (that's really not that big a deal), Apple has withdrawn its product portfolio from the EPEAT registry and will no longer seek approval from the government-backed agency. Regarding Apple's decision, EPEAT CEO Robert Frisbee threw this out there (via CIO Journal):

They said their design direction was no longer consistent with the EPEAT requirements. They were important supporters and we are disappointed that they don’t want their products measured by this standard anymore.

Frisbee says Apple didn't elaborate on the move. So allow me: Apple doesn't want to use bulky, ugly, design-disrupting screws to hold together its Macbook Pros and MacBook Airs anymore. Explains Mac Rumors,

EPEAT certification requires certain standards that make the machines easy to disassemble and recycle using common tools.

In this case, withdrawing EPEAT compliance doesn't mean Apple is using (or plans to use) less environmentally-friendly materials or innately fewer recyclable parts. Instead, all it really means is that Apple's portable Macs are taking a page out of the non-EPEAT-qualified iDevice book, and taking them apart will now require uncommon tools like heat guns, precision wedges, and a bit more elbow grease. But hey, if iFixit can do it, anyone can! Source: CIO Journal Via: Mac Rumors

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