Yesterday, Apple reversed course on their decision to remove their products from the EPEAT Environmental Registry. In a letter recognizing the move as a “mistake”, Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering Bob Mansfield reported that all eligible Apple products are now back on the registry.

The new Retina MacBook Pro was notably included in the “Gold” level status which represents the highest rating from EPEAT.

Retina MacBook Pro battery via iFixit


Fortune, however, cites the Electronics TakeBack Coalition’s Barbara Kyle in a blog posting that expressed doubts that this rating will ultimately stick:

Kyle explains: “It’s important to understand that the manufacturers grade themselves against the EPEAT criteria first, and then EPEAT conducts a review of this grading. That EPEAT review has not yet occurred. They can require the manufacturers to remove any product from the registry if it is not found to conform to the IEEE standard.”

Kyle cites issues with required criteria for EPEAT’s “Design for End of Life” which may prohibit the use of glue to attach the battery to the casing as has been seen on the Retina MacBook Pro.

A lack of EPEAT certification can have consequences as many government offices and corporations require certification for company purchases.





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