Apple Admits Mistake, Rejoins EPEAT

Apple has put its products back into the environmental ratings registry after a huge outcry following the techno giant’s original decision to leave EPEAT.

Yahoo News reports that Apple Inc. announced the decision on Friday, apologizing for the mistake they made in leaving the list. The company, based in Cupertino, California, originally sent a letter to EPEAT announcing they would withdraw from the program on June 29th.

Since then, loyal Apple customers, companies, and even the City of San Francisco, have been protesting the assumed leader of environmentally friendly technology for their decision to leave the list, which is considered an industry standard.

In a note posted on Apple’s website, PC Mag reports that Bob Mansfield, senior vice president of hardware engineering at Apple wrote:

“We’ve recently heard from many loyal Apple customers who were disappointed to learn that we had removed our products from the EPEAT rating system. I recognize that this was a mistake. Starting today, all eligible Apple products are back on EPEAT.”

CNet notes that Mansfield went on to say:

“It’s important to know that our commitment to protecting the environment has never changed, and today it is as strong as ever. Apple makes the most environmentally responsible products in our industry. In fact, our engineering teams have worked incredibly hard over the years to make our products even more environmentally friendly, and much of our progress has come in areas not yet measured by EPEAT.”

One reason for the company’s quick decision to rejoin the organization could be the result of a Bush-era ruling, which means that Federal purchases have to be made from EPEAT qualified vendors and equipment. Once they left, Apple did not qualify for this, reports Forbes. Now that they have re-listed all 39 of its qualified products with EPEAT.

What do you think of Apple Inc’s EPEAT scandal?

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