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IT devices: computers and monitors — Background |
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Needs analysis
Preliminary decision : Questions to be asked before buying new computers :
- Are there any used ones inside the organisation, which can be reused (and upgraded)?
- Is buying used computers a viable option? This depends, of course, on the required specification and usage.
In order to buy it is important to:
- determine exactly the essential/necessary capacity needed for each computer
- determine exactly what kind of hardware is essential for the computers
- decide what kind of monitors you want to buy (LCD or CRT, choose the latter only if it is unavoidable)
Alternative system :
- according to local networks: consider buying a central server on which the programmes run and only supplying users with a monitor and a keyboard (less energy, less materials required, etc.)
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Environmental aspects
Production |
They are produced from many materials in a complex way. Important points are :
- The use of non-renewable natural resources (plastic parts; their recyclability is important)
- The use of harmful chemicals for flame retardants and
other harmful substances (there could be cadmium in
CRT monitors and there is mercury in LCD monitors).
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Use |
Despite the relatively short life cycle, the most important environmental effect emerges during the usage phase, in the form of energy expended.
Besides energy there are effects on the users’ health, these include:
- radiation from CRT monitors
- noise pollution
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Waste |
The many different materials used cause a severe problem of wastage. Most of the materials can be recycled. A (free of charge) take-back system for recycling should be taken into account when procuring computers and monitors. |
Cost aspects
Life cycle costs |
The majority of costs lie in the energy utilized: using energy management programs can make savings.
Less important costs relate to maintenance and the costs of disposal. |
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Links |
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Examples of existing eco-labels (not exhaustive)
There are different types of labels. Multi-criteria labels are based on a number of pass/fail criteria for the product group in question. The criteria concerned will normally define the environmental performance that the product must reach and may also set standards ensuring that the product is fit for use. Single-issue labels are ones that relate to a particular environmental issue like energy use or emission levels. |
Name |
Website |
Language |
EU-Eco-label |
EU eco-label for personal computers
EU eco-label for portable computers |
Criteria in 19 languages |
Blaue Engel |
Workstation Computers, RAL-UZ 78
Portable Computers, RAL-UZ 93 |
German and English |
Nordic Swan |
Computers, displays, keyboards |
English and Swedish |
TCO05 |
Computers, Portable computers, CRT displays, Flat panel displays, Keyboards http://www.tcodevelopment.com |
English, German and Swedish |
Energy Star (energy label) |
http://www.eu-energystar.org/ |
English, German, French, Italian, Swedish, Danish, Finnish, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, Greek |
GEEA label
(energy label) |
http://www.efficient-appliances.org/ |
English |
Other potential sources for consultation (not exhaustive)
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Examples of criteria used in tender documents |
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The examples in this section are taken from tender documents collected for a study to assess the level of green public procurement in the EU. They have been commented on by the research group concerning the environmental focus and the correct use of criteria, in accordance with public procurement law. |
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Level: Light green |
Product |
Personal computer notebooks |
Technical specifications |
Electrical parts of equipments shall be compliant with EPA Energy Star standard or equivalent criteria. Certification (also self-certification) shall be provided to certify the above-mentioned requirements. |
Remarks by the research group about the environmental focus and purchasing criteria
Strong elements
Clear criteria and indication of the way in which compliance will be verified.
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Level: Solid green |
Product |
Computer hardware |
Technical specifications |
With the selection of the products, the following criteria play a role regarding environmental friendliness:
- Economic energy consumption
- Low level of noise generation
- Small subsequent costs
- Long-term availability of spare parts
- Low emissions and pollution
- Economical waste criteria (longevity, reusability, usability and reparability)
The mentioned criteria correspond to those for the acquisition of the symbol for environmental protection RAL 78 (see appendix). This is to be proven by carrying the symbol for environmental protection ("blue angel" or "European flower") or in another suitable way.
Packaging
Packaging materials are to be selected and used regarding
their environmental compatibility and reusability. Environmentally-harmful
materials, e.g. glue, polystyrene, PU foam etc. have to
be substituted as much as possible.
Taking-back and disposal according to the legal provisions are obligatory for the contractor. |
Remarks by the research group about the environmental focus and purchasing criteria
Strong elements
Good example of how to use criteria of an eco-label. Also taking-back of packaging is included (this is compulsory according to German legislation). |
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Level: Light green |
Product |
Computer hardware |
Technical specifications |
Compliant with Energy Star or Energy2000-standard.
| Contents |
Limit (mg/kg) |
| cadmium |
5,0 |
| cobalt |
25 |
| nickel |
70 |
| lead |
25 |
| mercury |
2,0 |
| chrome |
1,0 |
| chromate |
1,0 |
| tin-organic connection |
5,0 |
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Contract clauses |
When necessary, disposal of packaging. |
Remarks by the research group about the environmental focus and purchasing criteria
Strong elements
- Limits for dangerous substances as must-have criteria.
- Equipment should be compliant with energy standards.
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IT devices: printers and copiers — Background |
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Needs analysis
The preliminary questions are:
- Do you need the printer at all? Can you reduce the number of printers?
- Are there any older ones inside the organisation that can be refurbished?
- Can you buy printing and/or copying services instead of installing equipment?
Important:
- Always determine the necessary capacity and function of each device (How many people will use it? How many pages are printed or copied on average? Do they need colour printing and copying? etc.)
- Use central printers and copiers wherever possible, instead of the principle of “a printer for every computer” and “a copier for every room”.
Use multifunctional-devices. |
Environmental aspects
Production |
Printers and copying machines are produced from many materials in a complex process. Important points are:
- The use of non-renewable natural resources (plastic parts; their recyclability is important)
- The use of harmful chemicals for flame retardants
and other harmful substances
- The use of resources for packaging
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Use |
Despite the relatively short life-cycle, the most important environmental effect emerges during the usage phase in the form of energy used, the use of inks and consumables, etc.
Additionally, there are effects on the health of users, these are:
- Ozone, styrene and dust emissions
- Noise
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Waste |
The many different materials used cause a severe problem of wastage. Most of the materials can be recycled. A (free of charge) take-back system for recycling should be taken into account when purchasing computers and monitors.
Printer consumables (toners and cartridges) also create waste throughout the life of the machine. |
Cost aspects
Life cycle costs |
Savings in energy costs can be made by using energy management programs.
The use of consumables: toners and cartridges for inks and paper. Here, savings can be made by, for example, printing draft versions of documents in the economy mode. A device for double-sided printing/copying also saves paper.
A smaller part of the life-cycle cost relates to maintenance and disposal. |
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Links |
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Examples of existing eco-labels (not exhaustive)
There are different types of labels. Multi-criteria labels are based on a number of pass/fail criteria for the product group in question. The criteria concerned will normally define the environmental performance that the product must reach and may also set standards ensuring that the product is fit for use. Single-issue labels are ones that relate to a particular environmental issue like energy use or emission levels. |
Name |
Website |
Language |
Blaue Engel |
Several products:
- Printers, RAL-UZ 85
- Multifunctional devices RAL-UZ-114
- Copiers, RAL-UZ 62
- Recycled toner modules RAL-UZ-55
- Returnable and Recycable Cassettes/Cartridges RAL-UZ-86
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German and English |
Nordic Swan |
Copying Machines, Printers, Fax Machines and Multifunctional Devices http://www.svanen.nu/Eng/criteria/kriterie.asp?pgn=48 |
English and Swedish |
TCO |
Copiers, printers
http://www.tcodevelopment.com |
English, German and Swedish |
AENOR |
Photocopiers
http://www.aenor.es |
Spanish and English |
NF-Environment |
Cartridge for laser printers
http://www.marque-nf.com |
French |
Hungarian Label |
Black and white digital copying machines
http://www.kornyezetbarat-termek.hu |
Hungarian |
Dutch eco-label (Stichting Milieukeur) |
www.milieukeur.nl > criteria > toner cartridges |
Dutch |
Umweltzeichen |
Austrian eco-label for copying equipment
www.umweltzeichen.at |
German |
Czech eco-label |
http://www.ekoznacka.cz/ |
Czech |
Other potential sources for consultation (not exhaustive)
Website |
Language |
Austrian Check-it! |
German |
Dutch website on GPP - Senternovem |
Dutch |
Swedish website EKU |
Swedish and English |
Website of GEEA label |
English |
Website of Energy Star |
English, German, French, Italian, Swedish, Danish, Finnish, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, Greek |
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Relevant criteria for green public procurement |
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All production process-related criteria of eco-labelling schemes can be considered as appropriate for defining a product in a tendering procedure, provided that:
- the criteria, as well as the way in which they are being applied, are compliant with community law, in particular with the principles regarding non-discrimination and equal treatment; this implies, amongst other things, that the criteria have to be measurable/verifiable so as to treat bidders (economic operators) in the same way and allow effective verification of bids against tender documents;
- the criteria concern the production of the products, which are to be supplied to the purchasing authority (and hence they cannot concern the overall environmental management measures of the company producing or supplying the products).
For printers and copiers, these concern criteria which prescribe, for instance:
- The energy consumption of the products
- The potential longevity of the systems, expandability and a recyclable design as well as the possibilities of reuse and recycling of used products or product components.
- The use of environmentally burdening substances (such as (halogenated) flame proofing agents)
- The noise emission during operation
- The ability to duplex print as a default
- The fact that the equipment accepts recycled paper without negatively affecting the warranty
- The fact that the equipment accepts re-manufactured/re-filled ink cartridges without negatively affecting the warranty
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Examples of criteria used in tender documents |
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The examples in this section are taken from tender documents collected for a study to assess the level of green public procurement in the EU. The examples have been commented on by the research group concerning the environmental focus and the correct use of criteria, in accordance with public procurement law. |
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Level: Solid green |
Product |
Office machines (not computers) |
Award criteria |
The contract is awarded to the tender that meets the following criteria and weights, in the most economically advantageous way:
Economy 50%, Quality 20%, Environment 20%, Service 10%
Tenders will be regarded positively if they fulfil the following criteria:
- in addition to disposable products, refillable toner-cartridges
are also offered (cassettes that can be collected, cleaned,
controlled/repaired and refilled)
- that toner-cartridges fulfil the criteria of the Nordic
eco-label Swan or equivalent, given in chapters 5-7
of the criteria document1
- the toner powder is not classified as carcinogenic2,
harmful to the reproductive system, very toxic, toxic,
or harmful to the environment in accordance with the
regulations about classification and marking of chemical
substances and products3
- for each product, instructions about environmentally-responsible
disposal are provided. It should be clearly indicated
if the product can be disposed together with the ordinary
waste, or if it should be treated as hazardous waste,
or if there is a take-back and recycling/reuse system
for them.
- if the product catalogue includes ones that are classified
as hazardous waste at the end of their lifetime, a take-back
system is offered, which ensures that the hazardous
waste is transported and taken care of in accordance
with the regulations in force4.
In order to be able to assess to what degree the tender fulfils these environmental criteria, we ask the tenderer to use the attached Appendix 2 to give the environmental information for each of the offered products.
1 Criteria document "Ecolabelling of Toner Cartridges", Version 3.4, can be downloaded from: www.svanen.nu/DocEng/008e.pdf
2 If the cartridge and the system, where the toner powder is used, are closed systems that do not involve the risk of dust emissions, the criterion is fulfilled although the toner powder would contain more than 0.1% of respirable dust of Carbon Black (which the Danish authority 'Arbejdstilsynet' considers carcinogenic).
3 Decree nr. 329 of 16/05/2002 of the Danish Environment and Energy Ministry
4 Decree nr. 619 of 27/06/2000 of the Danish Environment and Energy Ministry and waste regulations in the municipality |
Contract clauses |
A model contract was attached, including the following description of the environmental principles of the contracting authority and the environmental aspects connected to the contract.
3.20 Environment
The contracting authority wants, by performing an environmentally-responsible purchasing policy, to decrease the harmful environmental impacts and promote the development and use of more environmentally-sound products and services, for the benefit of the outer environment (..).
Regarding the offered products, it is assumed that instructions about environmentally-responsible disposal are delivered with each product. It should be clearly indicated if the product can be disposed together with the ordinary waste, or if it should be treated as hazardous waste. If the product catalogue includes products that are classified as hazardous waste at the end of their lifetime, we expect that a take-back system is offered by the contractor.
The supplier/contractor guarantees that all products delivered during the contract fulfil the environmental regulations, environmental law, environmental EU directives etc. in force at the moment of the delivery.
If the contacting authority requires documentation about a product, relating to the assessment of its environmental impacts, the contractor must furnish the authority with the documentation free of charge. |
Remarks by the research group about the environmental focus and purchasing criteria
Strong elements
- Several environmental aspects are covered by the criteria.
- Weighting is given and the weight of the environmental impacts is high (20%).
- The contract includes aspects (instructions for disposal, take-back system for hazardous waste, fulfilment of the environmental regulations, free-of-charge environmental information) that are common for many product groups, and could be used in a general 'model contract'.
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Level: Light green |
Product |
Computer hardware |
Technical specifications |
Compliant with Energy Star or Energy2000-standard or equivalent.
The following limits have to be met by the toner cartridge for laser printing:
| Contents |
Limit (mg/kg) |
| cadmium |
5,0 |
| cobalt |
25 |
| nickel |
70 |
| lead |
25 |
| mercury |
2,0 |
| chrome |
1,0 |
| chromate |
1,0 |
| tin-organic connection |
5,0 |
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Contract clauses |
When necessary, disposal of packaging to be covered. |
Remarks by the research group about the environmental focus and purchasing criteria
Strong elements
- Limits for dangerous substances as a knock-out criterion.
- Equipment should be compliant with energy standards.
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Level: Light green |
Product |
Copying machines |
Technical specifications |
- Electricity use (the smaller, the better): in electricity-saving mode and in use
- Production of heat (the smaller, the better)
- Expected lifetime (number of copies, the higher, the better)
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Contract clauses |
When necessary, disposal of packaging. |
Remarks by the research group about the environmental focus and purchasing criteria
Strong elements
Good focus on energy use, albeit at the award stage only. Therefore these are not minimum technical specifications, which need to be complied with in all cases. |
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Background