EPEAT CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT PROTOCOLS … Conformity Assessment Protocols 4.2 Materials Selection...

EPEAT Conformity Assessment Protocols

4.2 Materials Selection

Version 1 – November 2012

4.2-1

Please note, this document is intended to be used as a companion guidance document to the IEEE

1680.2 standard. Please refer to the 1680.2 document for the exact product criterion details.

EPEAT CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT PROTOCOLS

4.2 Materials selection

4.2.1 Postconsumer recycled plastic content

4.2.1.1 Required—Declaration of postconsumer recycled plastic content

Verification Guidance

Products that do not contain plastics can declare “Not Applicable” for this criterion on the registry.

The declaration can be zero if the plastic components do not have postconsumer recycled plastic

content.

Product Verification Committee

Clarifications

None

References and Details If filler materials or additives are used in recycled plastics, the

calculation of the recycled plastic content is made by dividing

the weight of the recycled plastic by the full weight of the

plastic material, including additives and fillers, in the part or

product. Additives or fillers are not considered recycled plastic,

except in the case where the additives or fillers are derived

from a recycled feedstock.

Verification Requirements a) Declaration from manufacturer (See 4.0 Verification

Requirement – Declaration from manufacturer)

b) Supplier letter stating minimum percentage of

postconsumer recycled plastic content in material supplied

to manufacturer or to manufacturer's part supplier

c) Documentation of Calculation

4.2.1.1 Verification Requirement

b) Supplier letter stating minimum percentage of postconsumer recycled plastic content in

material supplied to manufacturer or to manufacturer's part supplier

� Verification Protocols




4.2-2



1. Request for data submission to

subscriber

1. Identification of components containing postconsumer

recycled plastic content and of the supplier of each

component – Use EPEAT Plastics Materials Form or

equivalent.

2. A supplier letter for each component, or group of

components, that contain postconsumer recycled plastic

content, which provides a declaration of the percentage (by

weight) of postconsumer recycled plastic content and

clearly designates that the recycled content is

postconsumer.

3. Documentation of internal process for specifying content

requirements and obtaining evidence of conformance from

suppliers.

2. Examples of potential evidence for

conformance – more than one item of

evidence may be provided such that

conformance is adequately

demonstrated

• EPEAT Plastics Material form or equivalent

• Supplier records/letter and procedures

• Internal process/procedure documents

• Subscriber specifications

• Evidence of the original source of the plastic that supports

the postconsumer origin.

3. Questions to assess conformance Do the supplier letters clearly state the requirement, indicate

conformance, and are they appropriately signed and dated?

Are there supplier letters for all parts containing postconsumer

recycled content?

Do the percentages of postconsumer recycled content in the

supplier letters match those listed in the EPEAT Plastics

Material form (or equivalent)?

4. Evaluation guidance Supplier letters are only required when the declared

postconsumer recycled plastic content is > 0.

Subscriber may choose to declare 0 even if the product contains

some postconsumer recycled content, but the Subscriber does

not have or does not wish to provide documentation.

Declaration to this criterion, however, must be consistent with

declaration to optional criteria (4.2.1.3, 4.2.1.4), if applicable.

The source of the recycled plastic specified by the supplier must

be POSTCONSUMER recycled plastic. Evidence must be

provided that the subscriber and the suppliers know and track




4.2-3



the difference between postconsumer and post-industrial

recycled plastic.

The methodology for calculating recycled content in the plastic

for individual materials or parts is clearly articulated, and

demonstrates the appropriate assignment of feedstocks to the

numerator and the denominator of the recycling equation, per

the interpretations and clarifications.

The subscriber may exclude the components identified in the

criterion, or not.

Suppliers may be plastic manufacturers as well as component

part manufacturers.


c) Documentation of calculation



subscriber

1. Calculation of postconsumer recycled plastic content in the

product. Use the Content Calculation Template worksheet in the

EPEAT Plastics Materials Form or equivalent. All plastic parts

must be included in the worksheet, whether they contain

postconsumer recycled content or not. Subscriber may choose

to include exempt parts or not.

2. Alternatively, a record of the calculation used to determine the

overall postconsumer recycled plastic content. This must

include:

• Calculation of the numerator based on the postconsumer

recycled plastic content of each component that contains

postconsumer recycled plastic, or the full amount of

postconsumer recycled plastic in the product.

• Calculation of the denominator based on all the plastic in

the product. Note that this must be adequate to

demonstrate that at least the postconsumer recycled plastic

content claimed is achieved. For example, the denominator

could include the full weight of the product, rather than the

weight of just the plastic. However, this would inevitably

lower the percentage claimed since non-plastic parts would

be included in the denominator.




4.2-4



3. A listing of any items listed in the criterion which are excluded

from this calculation.

2. Examples of potential evidence

for conformance – more than

one item of evidence may be

provided such that conformance

is adequately demonstrated

• Spreadsheet of calculations.

• Alternative calculations

3. Questions to assess

conformance

Is the amount of plastic with postconsumer recycled content clearly

indicated?

Is the total amount of plastic indicated?

Is the methodology for calculating the total postconsumer recycled

plastic content clearly articulated?

Are all plastic components in the product, except those explicitly

allowed to be exempted in the standard, included in the

calculation?

Is the calculation shown with final results indicating the total

postconsumer recycled plastic content equal to or more than what

has been declared by the subscriber?

4. Evaluation guidance Calculation only required if the subscriber indicated >0

postconsumer recycled plastic content.

The denominator is the weight of all plastics in the product except

the following may be excluded from the calculation: printed circuit

boards, labels, cables, connectors, electronic components, optical

components, electrostatic discharge (ESD) components,

electromagnetic interference (EMI) components and biobased

plastic material.


criterion, or not. However, if certain of those components are

included, then those components must be included in both the

numerator and denominator.

If filler materials or additives are used in recycled plastics, the

calculation of the recycled plastic content is made by dividing the

weight of the recycled plastic by the full weight of the plastic

material, including additives and fillers, in the part or product.

Additives or fillers are not considered recycled plastic, except in the

case where the additives or fillers are derived from a recycled

feedstock.




4.2-5



4.2.1.2 Required—Minimum content of postconsumer recycled plastic


Products that contain < 100 g of plastics can declare “Not Applicable” for this criterion on the registry.


Clarifications

None

References and Details A supply disruption greater than 6 months duration, or

repeated disruptions occurring at intervals of less than 6

months, would require justification to be considered

temporary.

Additives or fillers are not considered recycled plastic, except in

the case where the additives or fillers are derived from a

recycled feedstock.






c) Documentation of the following: plastic component part

name(s) or other part identifier that contains the

postconsumer recycled content, weight (g) of

postconsumer recycled in the component part, and

postconsumer recycled resin type. If the part identifier is

not descriptive, a description of the type of part shall be

provided.

d) If supply was temporarily disrupted since the product was

declared on the MSE Registry, documentation of the

occurrence, including the dates in which the postconsumer

recycled supply was disrupted and reinstated and the

reason for the interruption. If the interruption was caused

by the postconsumer recycled supplier, this documentation

shall include a supplier letter stating the cause and dates of

the interruption in supply.




4.2-6








subscriber




equivalent.






postconsumer.



suppliers. A CAS, such as described in the Introduction,

would provide such confirmation.


conformance – generally more than

one item of evidence may be provided

such that conformance is adequately

demonstrated







3. Questions to assess conformance Do the supplier letters clearly state postconsumer recycled

content, the percentage of postconsumer recycled content, and

are signed and dated appropriately?

Are there supplier letters to support at least 5 g of

postconsumer recycled content in the product?




4. Evaluation guidance The source of the recycled plastic specified by the supplier must




4.2-7



be POSTCONSUMER recycled plastic.

The methodology for calculating recycled content in the plastic

for individual materials or parts must be clearly articulated, and

demonstrates the appropriate assignment of feedstocks to the

numerator and the denominator of the recycling equation, per

the interpretations and clarifications.


part manufacturers.


c) Documentation of the following: plastic component part name(s) or other part identifier

that contains the postconsumer recycled content, weight (g) of postconsumer recycled

plastic in the component part, and postconsumer recycled resin type. If the part identifier

is not descriptive, a description of the type of part shall be provided.



subscriber

1. Identification of those plastic components that contain the

postconsumer recycled content including;

• Part identifier (if the part identifier is not

descriptive, a description must be provided)

• Weight in g

• Postconsumer recycled plastic type





demonstrated

• EPEAT Plastics Materials Form or equivalent

3. Questions to assess conformance If Not Applicable is declared, is the total plastic weight 100 g or

less and are all plastic components in the product included in

the total plastic weight, except those identified in the standard

as exclusions?

If Not Applicable is not declared, are sufficient plastic

components containing postconsumer recycled plastic included

in the total plastic to demonstrate total PCR plastic of at least 5

g?




4.2-8



Is the total amount of postconsumer recycled plastic at least 5

g?

Are the components containing postconsumer recycled plastic

clearly identified?

4. Evaluation guidance Additives or fillers are not considered recycled plastic, except in

the case where the additives or fillers are derived from a

recycled feedstock.

The following may be excluded from the combined weight

total: printed circuit boards, labels, cables, connectors,

electronic components, optical components, electrostatic

discharge (ESD) components, electromagnetic interference

(EMI) components and biobased plastic material.

A subscriber can choose whether or not to use the allowable

exemptions listed in the standard.

The documentation provided clearly lists which components in

the product contain postconsumer recycled plastic, and the

total recycled content of these components is at least 5 g.


d) If supply was temporarily disrupted since the product was declared on the MSE Registry,

documentation of the occurrence, including the dates in which the postconsumer recycled

plastic supply was disrupted and reinstated and the reason for the interruption. If the

interruption was caused by the postconsumer recycled supplier, this documentation shall

include a supplier letter stating the cause and dates of the interruption in supply.



subscriber

If supply of postconsumer recycled plastic was temporarily

disrupted since the product was declared on the Registry:

1. Documentation of the occurrence indicating the dates

when the postconsumer recycled supply was disrupted and

reinstated and reason for the interruption.

2. If the disruption was caused by the supplier, a supplier

letter stating the cause and dates of the interruption in

supply.

3. If the disruption was greater than six months duration, or

repeated disruptions of intervals of less than six months,




4.2-9



justification must be provided to be considered temporary.





demonstrated

Supplier letter

Communications from supplier(s)

3. Questions to assess conformance Does the documentation provided clearly indicate the dates of

the occurrences?

Is the date of the occurrence after the date of product

declaration? (as per EPEAT Registry)

Does the documentation provided clearly indicate the reason of

the postconsumer recycled plastic supply interruption?

Does the documentation provided clearly indicate the duration

of the interruption?

Is the justification for repeated or longer than 6 months

disruptions clearly stated?

Does the justification stated adequately demonstrate that the

interruption was temporary?

4. Evaluation guidance The time between date of interruption and date of restarting of

postconsumer recycled production should be less than 6

months.

If interruption of supply lasted more than 6 months,

justification of the disruption needs to be reviewed.

Consideration should be made to industry wide interruptions

due to acts of God, fire, flood, acts of war, government action,

accident, labor difficulties or shortage, inability to obtain

materials, equipment or transportation.




4.2-10



4.2.1.3 Optional— Minimum 5% to 10% content of postconsumer recycled

plastic




Clarifications

None




temporary.

WEEE shall be defined to include all types of products included

in the EU WEEE Directive 2002/96/EC.

























4.2-11








subscriber




equivalent.




weight) of postconsumer recycled plastic content and, if

WEEE content > 0%is declared, what percentage is derived

from WEEE.

3. A method of confirming the validity of the supplier claim. A

CAS, such as described in the Introduction, would provide

such confirmation.





demonstrated






the post-consumer origin.

3. Questions to assess conformance Does the described program adequately provide confirmation

of the supplier claim?

Do the supplier letters clearly state postconsumer recycled

content, the percentage of postconsumer recycled content and

are appropriately signed and dated?


recycled content?

Do the percentages of postconsumer recycled plastic content in

the supplier letters match those listed in the EPEAT Plastics





4.2-12




be POSTCONSUMER recycled plastic.

The methodology for calculating recycled plastic in the resin is

clearly articulated, and demonstrates the appropriate

assignment of feedstocks to the numerator and the

denominator of the recycling equation, per the interpretations

and clarifications.


part manufacturers.

If WEEE percentage is declared, evidence of the original source

of the plastic that supports the postconsumer WEEE origin.

Record of the method used by the subscriber confirming the

validity of the supplier claim.





subscriber


product. Use the Content Calculation Template worksheet

in the EPEAT Plastics Materials Form or equivalent. All

plastic parts must be included in the worksheet, whether

they contain postconsumer recycled content or not.

Subscriber may choose to include exempt parts or not. If

WEEE percentage > 0% is declared then calculation must

clearly support the declaration.

2. Alternatively, a record of the calculation used to determine

the overall postconsumer recycled plastic content. This will

include:

• Calculation of the numerator based on the

postconsumer recycled plastic content of each

component that contains postconsumer recycled

plastic, or the full amount of postconsumer recycled

plastic in the product.

• Calculation of the denominator based on all the plastic

in the product. Note that this must be adequate to




4.2-13



demonstrate that at least the postconsumer recycled

plastic content claimed is achieved. For example, the

denominator could include the full weight of the

product, rather than the weight of just the plastic.

However, this would inevitably lower the percentage

claimed since non-plastic parts would be included in

the denominator.

• If WEEE percentage > 0% is declared then calculation

must clearly support the declaration.





demonstrated


• Alternative calculation.

3. Questions to assess conformance Is the amount of plastic with postconsumer recycled content

indicated?


Is the methodology for calculating the total postconsumer

recycled plastic content clearly articulated?

Are all plastic components in the product, except those

explicitly allowed to be exempted in the standard, included in

the calculation?


postconsumer recycled plastic content is equal to or more than

what has been declared by the subscriber and minimum 5% to

10% based on total weight?

If > 0 percentage from WEEE was declared, was the minimum

percentage of postconsumer recycled plastic derived from

WEEE provided, and was the minimum percentage supported in

the calculations?

4. Evaluation guidance The denominator is the weight of all plastics in the product

except the following may be excluded from the calculation:

printed circuit boards, labels, cables, connectors, electronic

components, optical components, electrostatic discharge (ESD)

components, electromagnetic interference (EMI) components

and biobased plastic material.





4.2-14








from a recycled feedstock. See clarification 5-1.




supply was disrupted and reinstated and the reason for the interruption. If the





subscriber








supply.


repeated disruptions occurring at intervals of less than six

months, justification must be provided to be considered

temporary.





demonstrated

• Supplier letter

• Communications from supplier(s)


the occurrences?







4.2-15












months.







4.2.1.4 Optional— Minimum 25% content of postconsumer recycled plastic




Clarifications

None




temporary.












4.2-16





















subscriber




equivalent.






postconsumer.



suppliers.


conformance – more than one item

of evidence may be provided such that






4.2-17




demonstrated • Internal process/procedure documents




3. Questions to assess conformance Do the supplier letters clearly state postconsumer recycled

content, the percentage of postconsumer recycled content, and

are appropriately signed and dated?


recycled content?





be POSTCONSUMER recycled plastic. The methodology for

calculating recycled content in the plastic is clearly articulated,

and demonstrates the appropriate assignment of feedstocks to

the numerator and the denominator of the recycling equation,

per the interpretations and clarifications.


criterion, or not.


part manufacturers.





subscriber



in the EPEAT Plastics Materials Form or equivalent. All

plastic parts must be included in the worksheet, whether

they contain postconsumer recycled content or not.

Subscriber may choose to include exempt parts or not.


the overall postconsumer recycled plastic content. This




4.2-18



must include:

• Calculation of the numerator based on the

postconsumer recycled plastic content of each

component that contains postconsumer recycled

plastic, or the full amount of postconsumer recycled

plastic in the product.



demonstrate that at least the postconsumer recycled

plastic content claimed is achieved. For example, the





the denominator.





demonstrated


• Alternative calculations.

3. Questions to assess conformance Is the amount of plastic with postconsumer recycled plastic

content indicated?


Is the methodology for calculating the total postconsumer

recycled plastic content clearly articulated?



the calculation?


postconsumer recycled plastic content is equal to or more than

what has been declared by the subscriber and minimum 25%

based on total weight?





components, electromagnetic interference (EMI) components

and biobased plastic material.




4.2-19





included, then the included components must be calculated in

both the numerator and denominator











supply was disrupted and reinstated and the reason for the interruption. If the





subscriber








supply.


repeated disruptions occurring at intervals of less than six

months, justification must be provided to be considered

temporary.





demonstrated

• Supplier letter

• Communications from supplier(s)




4.2-20




the occurrences?













months.










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4.2.2 Biobased plastic material content

4.2.2.1 Required—Declaration of biobased plastic materials content




Clarifications

None

References and Details ASTM D6866, Standard Test Methods for Determining the

Biobased Content of Solid, Liquid, and Gaseous Samples Using

Radiocarbon Analysis may be used to determine if the carbon

isotope ratios measured for the plastic materials in the product

are consistent with the declared weight percentages of

biobased plastic materials.

A declaration of 0% biobased plastic material content is

acceptable if there is no biobased plastic material in the

product or if the manufacturer does not have the required

verification documentation. If 0% biobased plastic material

content is declared, the manufacturer does not need to provide

verification documentation.

If filler materials or additives are used in biobased plastic

materials, the calculation of the biobased plastic material

content is made by dividing the weight of the biobased plastic

material in the part or product by the full weight of the plastic

material, including additives, fillers, and other plastics, in the

part or product.



b) Supplier letter



b) Supplier letter





4.2-22




subscriber

1. Identification of components containing biobased plastic

material and of the supplier of each component – Use

EPEAT Plastics Materials Form or equivalent.


components, that contain biobased plastic material, which

provides a declaration of the percentage (by weight) of

biobased plastic material.

3. Subscriber may also provide verification of biobased plastic

content using ASTM D6866.

4. A method of confirming the validity of the supplier claim. A

CAS, such as described in the Introduction, would provide

such confirmation.





demonstrated





• A verification of biobased plastic material content using

ASTM D6866

3. Questions to assess conformance Do the supplier letters clearly state biobased content, the

percentage of biobased content, and are appropriately signed

and dated?

Are there supplier letters for all parts containing biobased

plastic material content?

Do the percentages of biobased plastic material content in the



4. Evaluation guidance A declaration of 0% biobased plastic material content is

acceptable if there is no biobased plastic material in the

product or if the manufacturer does not have the required

verification documentation. If 0% biobased plastic material

content is declared, the manufacturer does not need to provide

supplier letters or other verification documentation.

The methodology for calculating biobased plastic material

content in the resin is clearly articulated, and demonstrates the

appropriate assignment of feedstocks to the numerator and the

denominator of the biobased plastic material equation, per the




4.2-23



interpretations and clarifications.

Suppliers may be resin manufacturers as well as component

part manufacturers.





subscriber

1. Calculation of biobased plastic material content in the


in the EPEAT Plastics Materials Form or alternative.


the overall postconsumer biobased plastic material

content. This will include:

• Calculation of the numerator based on the biobased

plastic material content of each component that

contains biobased plastic material, or the full amount

of biobased plastic material in the product.


in the product less the exclusions. Note that this must

be adequate to demonstrate that at least the biobased

plastic material content claimed is achieved. For

example, the denominator could include the full weight

of the product, rather than the weight of just the

plastic. However, this would inevitably lower the

percentage claimed since non-plastic parts would be

included in the denominator.





demonstrated



3. Questions to assess conformance Is the amount of plastic with biobased plastic material clearly

indicated?

Is the total amount of plastic (less the permitted exclusions)




4.2-24



indicated?

Is the methodology for calculating the total biobased plastic

material content clearly articulated?


explicitly allowed to be excluded in the standard, included in

the calculation?


biobased plastic material content is equal to or more than what


4. Evaluation guidance Calculation only required if the subscriber indicated >0

biobased plastic material content.

The denominator is the weight of all plastics in the product




components, electromagnetic interference (EMI) components,

and postconsumer recycled plastic.






part or product.

4.2.2.2 Optional—Minimum content of biobased plastic material




Clarifications

None

References and Details ASTM D6866, Standard Test Methods for Determining the

Biobased Content of Solid, Liquid, and Gaseous Samples Using

Radiocarbon Analysis may be used to determine if the carbon

isotope ratios measured for the plastic materials in the product

are consistent with the declared weight percentages of

biobased plastic materials.




4.2-25



Examples of materials that do not compete with the human

food supply would include crop materials that are not typically

used for human food production.






part or product.



b) Supplier Letter, including identification of the source used

to make the biobased plastic material



b) Supplier letter, including identification of the source used to make the biobased plastic

material



subscriber

1. Identification of components containing biobased plastic

material and of the supplier of each component – Use

EPEAT Plastics Materials Form or equivalent.


components, that contain biobased plastic material, which

provides:

a. A declaration of the percentage (by weight) of

biobased plastic material

b. Identification of the source used to make the

biobased plastic material



suppliers.

4. Subscriber may also provide verification of biobased plastic

content using ASTM D6866.




4.2-26



5. If biobased plastic is claimed in the product declaration to

derive from sources that do not compete with the human

food supply, the supplier letter must provide

documentation.





demonstrated



• Identification of the source used to make the biobased

plastic material



• A verification of biobased plastic material content using

ASTM D6866


the biobased plastic material origin.

3. Questions to assess conformance Do the supplier letters clearly state the requirement, indicate

conformance, and are appropriately signed and dated?

Are there supplier letters for all parts containing biobased

plastic material content?

Do the supplier letters identify the source used to make the

biobased plastic?

Do the percentages of biobased plastic material content in the



Was the minimum percentage of biobased plastic materials in

the product derived from sources that do not compete with the

human food supply provided, and was the minimum

percentage supported in the calculations?

4. Evaluation guidance Evidence must be provided that the subscriber and the

suppliers know what biobased plastic material is and are able to

track the biobased plastic material sources being used.

The methodology for calculating biobased plastic material

content in the resin is clearly articulated, and demonstrates the

appropriate assignment of feedstocks to the numerator and the

denominator of the biobased plastic material equation, per the

interpretations and clarifications.





4.2-27



criterion, or not.

Suppliers may be resin manufacturers as well as component

part manufacturers.








subscriber

1. Calculation of biobased plastic material content in the


in the EPEAT Plastics Materials Form. The criterion

requires the following: Manufacturer shall declare the

minimum percentage of biobased plastic materials in the

product derived from sources that do not compete with the

human food supply.


the overall postconsumer biobased plastic material

content. This must include:

• Calculation of the numerator based on the biobased

plastic material content of each component that

contains biobased plastic material, or the full amount

of biobased plastic material in the product.



demonstrate that at least the biobased plastic material

content claimed is achieved. For example, the





the denominator.









4.2-28




demonstrated

3. Questions to assess conformance Is the amount of plastic with biobased material content clearly

indicated?


Is the methodology for calculating the total biobased plastic

material content clearly articulated?



the calculation?


biobased plastic material content is equal to or more than what


Was the minimum percentage of biobased plastic materials in

the product derived from sources that do not compete with the

human food supply provided, and was the minimum

percentage supported in the calculations?


except for the printed circuit boards, labels, cables, connectors,

electronic components, optical components, electrostatic

discharge (ESD) components, and electromagnetic interference

(EMI) components (which are exempt).



included, then the included components must be calculated in

both the numerator and denominator









part or product.




4.2-29



4.2.3 Weight Declaration

4.2.3.1 Required—Declaration of product weight



Clarifications

None

References and Details None available.




a) Declaration of product weight in kilograms


subscriber

Declaration template





demonstrated

Declaration

3. Questions to assess conformance Has the declaration been provided, including product weight in

kilograms?

4. Evaluation guidance None

EPEAT CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT PROTOCOLS … Conformity Assessment Protocols 4.2 Materials Selection...

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