How the EPEAT Bronze Silver and Gold registry applies to office MFPs

EPEAT, the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool, evaluates IT equipment across a broader environmental footprint than Energy Star addresses. Where Energy Star covers operating energy consumption, EPEAT covers the full lifecycle including materials, manufacturing, packaging, end of life recycling, corporate responsibility, and energy efficiency. The registry assigns Bronze, Silver, or Gold ratings based on how many criteria a device meets beyond the mandatory baseline. Office MFPs appear in the EPEAT imaging equipment category, with the registry providing a meaningful procurement filter for offices that want to evaluate environmental impact beyond energy alone.

The EPEAT criteria for imaging equipment

EPEAT for imaging equipment is defined by the IEEE 1680.2 standard, with the criteria divided into mandatory and optional categories. The mandatory criteria represent the baseline that every EPEAT registered device must meet. The optional criteria distinguish the higher tiers, with manufacturers selecting which optional criteria to meet to qualify for Silver or Gold.

How office MFPs achieve each tier

Bronze level requires meeting all 21 mandatory criteria across the categories. Most current office MFPs from major OEMs achieve Bronze through standard product design and manufacturer practices. The registration cost and ongoing reporting requirements are the main barriers, which discourages smaller manufacturers from registering even when their products would qualify.

Silver level requires meeting at least 50 percent of the optional criteria in addition to the mandatory ones. Achieving Silver typically requires the manufacturer to invest specifically in design for environment beyond what regulatory minimums require. The investment shows in the device's recycled content, the longer parts availability commitment, and the more extensive take back programme.

Gold level requires at least 75 percent of the optional criteria. Devices that achieve Gold represent the manufacturer's most environmentally conscious product lines. Few office MFPs reach Gold; those that do typically come from manufacturers with explicit environmental positioning as part of their brand strategy.

Using EPEAT in office procurement

EPEAT integrates well into procurement processes that already require environmental considerations. US federal government procurement mandates EPEAT Bronze or higher for IT equipment, and many EU public sector procurements include EPEAT as a scoring criterion or a minimum requirement. Private sector offices increasingly include EPEAT in their procurement criteria, particularly those with documented sustainability commitments.

For most office procurements, requiring EPEAT Silver provides a meaningful filter without being unduly restrictive. Silver excludes the lower environmental performers while including most major manufacturer offerings that have made reasonable environmental investments. Gold as a requirement is appropriate for offices with strong environmental positioning, but limits the candidate pool more significantly.

The EPEAT registry as a research tool

The EPEAT registry is publicly searchable at the EPEAT website. The search lets buyers filter by product category, region, registration status, and tier. The registry shows each registered device's specific scoring across the criteria, letting buyers see which optional criteria the device met to achieve its rating.

The detailed view helps buyers who care about specific environmental factors. An office focused on end of life recycling can prioritise devices that scored well on Category 6 criteria. An office focused on material selection can prioritise devices that scored well on Category 2. The granular information goes beyond the headline tier to support more specific procurement decisions.

Limitations of EPEAT

EPEAT has two main limitations to keep in mind. The first is geographic coverage: the registry is administered globally but registration is voluntary, and not every device sold in every market is registered. A device that would qualify for Gold may be registered only in the US market, leaving European buyers unable to use the EPEAT criterion in their procurement. The second is that EPEAT criteria evolve over time, and older devices registered under earlier criteria may not meet current expectations. Checking the registration date alongside the tier ensures the rating reflects current standards.

Within these limits, EPEAT remains a useful procurement tool for offices that want environmental criteria beyond simple energy efficiency. The registry provides the structured framework that lets environmental claims be verified rather than taken on the manufacturer's word.