Apple: Leaving EPEAT a mistake, products back on green registry

After removing 39 of its computers from an environmental rating registry last month, Apple is now backtracking and has said it made a mistake.

The Cupertino, Calif., tech giant said dropping its products from the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool registry was a mistake, and the company also said it would be re-listing its products.

The company announced the change in a letter published online Friday directed at its consumers.

“We’ve recently heard from many loyal Apple customers who were disappointed to learn that we had removed our products from the EPEAT rating system,” said Bob Mansfield, Apple’s senior vice president of hardware engineering. “I recognize that this was a mistake. Starting today, all eligible Apple products are back on EPEAT.”

Mansfield said Apple’s commitment to the environment has never waivered, and he also, as though justifying the initial removal from EPEAT, added that much of its environmental progress has come in areas not measured by the registry.

The company said its relationship with EPEAT has improved as a result of the entire episode while also pointing out other areas in which the company claims to be a leader when it comes to environmental friendliness.

“Our team at Apple is dedicated to designing products that everyone can be proud to own and use,” Mansfield said in the letter.

Apple’s reversal comes after a backlash to its decision that included the city of San Francisco saying it would no longer purchase Apple computers.

Officials representing EPEAT did not immediately issue a response or respond to a request for comment, but we’ll make sure to keep you updated.

[Updated, July 13, 1:49 p.m.: Following Apple’s letter, Greenpeace International, an environmental organization, issued a response commending the move.

“We applaud Apple for ‘thinking green, not greedy’ and listening to its customers’ calls not to pit design needs against the environment,” the statement read. “A large and growing number [of] Apple customers have challenged the company to be an environmental leader, whether that be by rejoining EPEAT, eliminating toxic chemicals from its products, or powering its iCloud with renewable energy.”

The organization also called for Apple to make computers with removable, recyclable and upgradable parts in order to be more environmentally friendly.]

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