UL Environment Issues Highest Available Sustainability Certification for Laptops

NORTHBROOK, Ill., Feb. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- UL Environment Inc., a business unit of UL (Underwriters Laboratories), announced today that it has issued its first-ever Gold level Sustainable Product Certification (SPC) for the laptop category to the Lenovo ThinkPad T420 laptop, scheduled to be launched later this year. This UL Environmental SPC Gold certification indicates a product has met the most stringent and prestigious of three levels of compliance in the industry-wide sustainability standard for laptops, IEEE 1680.1.

"UL's trusted independent testing and certification program helps companies differentiate their products based on tested and validated environmental performance," said Steve Wenc, president of UL Environment. "Companies like Lenovo that choose third-party certification to environmental standards are not only encouraging customer peace of mind, but they are raising the sustainability bar for their industry peers."

UL Environment tested the ThinkPad T420 to IEEE 1680.1 criteria including reduction or elimination of environmentally sensitive materials in product and packaging, energy conservation, end-of-life management and corporate environmental practices. 

"The market for more environmentally-friendly laptops is growing due to consumer preference, energy regulations and corporate sustainability practices," said Wenc. "We applaud Lenovo for their dedication to creating greener options for this industry, and are proud to offer them a certification that proves the environmental attributes of the Thinkpad T420."

During the testing process, UL Environment assessed product documentation and records, physically examined product samples, independently tested the product for compliance to ENERGY STAR® 5.0 requirements and conducted onsite audits of manufacturing facilities.

About UL

UL is a premier global safety science company with more than 100 years of proven history. Employing more than 6,800 professionals in over 96 countries, UL is evolving the future of safety with five distinct business units – Product Safety, Environment, Life & Health, Verification and University – to meet the expanding needs of customers and the global public. For more information about UL University and Six Sigma programs and services, visit www.ULUniversity.com.

About UL Environment

UL Environment supports the growth and development of sustainable products, services and organizations in the global marketplace through standards development, educational services and independent third-party assessment and certification. Specific environmental solutions services UL Environment provides include environmental claims validation, sustainable products certification, energy efficiency certification, environmental product declarations and advisory services.  Additional information about UL Environment can be found at ulenvironment.com.  Or follow UL Environment news and education tips on Twitter @ulenvironment.

SOURCE UL Environment

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