EPEAT makes it easier for resellers to be green

Anyone who has any interest in representing green technology is familiar with the EPEAT rating system (EPEAT stands for Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool). At least I hope you are, since the government uses this information to guide procurement choices and many commercial accounts look to it as well for their own green IT initiatives.

Now the upholders of EPEAT, the Green Electronics Council,  is actively reaching out to VARs and other solution providers through a new EPEAT Reseller Partner Program.

The plan is to make technology solution providers more familiar with the resources available under the program. EPEAT rates notebooks, desktops, monitors and integrated systems on 51 different criteria, granting them Bronze, Silver and Gold designations. Things that are evaluated include a system’s content (how much lead, mercury or cadmium it contains), how easy it is to recycle or upgrade, and its power efficiency. The organization IS working on providing server information, but its ability to do so hinges upon an ongoing data collection and benchmarking project for data centers related some forthcoming changes to the Energy Star program.

Among things you can expect for signing up:

• Information on how to discuss EPEAT ratings and environmental criteria
• Salesforce training
• Messaging development and customizable templates for press releases and other marketing activities
• A listing on the EPEAT Web site

EPEAT already provides information feeds about EPEAT ratings through Channel Intelligence and CNET Content Solutions. It also works with distributors Ingram Micro and Synnex.