Dell First to Market with Global EPEAT Gold Notebook

Company Also Makes Gold Status Desktop Products Available.

Dell’s Latitude D630 is the first globally available notebook computer to achieve gold status with the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT), a procurement system that helps purchasers in the public and private sectors evaluate, compare and select products based on environmental attributes.

The company also announced today that its OptiPlex™ 740 and 745 Energy Smart mini-tower systems, two of the company’s most-demanded commercial desktop products, are EPEAT Gold listed. Dell already has shipped nearly 4 million OptiPlex 745 family systems, in contrast to a limited offering from a competitor.

“Dell is distinct in our industry in that we are integrating environmental standards into mainstream, high-volume global products. This enables our customers to achieve their own goals around performance, cost and environmental stewardship,” said David Lear, director of environmental affairs for Dell. “These products represent industry leadership and reflect our commitment to provide the best customer experience and help protect the environment we all share.”

“We congratulate Dell on a remarkable accomplishment,” said Jeff Omelchuck, executive director of the Green Electronics Council, which manages the EPEAT program. “These are among the most environmentally preferable computer products ever released.”

EPEAT helps purchasers evaluate, compare and select products based on criteria under the following categories:

* Reduction/elimination of environmentally sensitive materials
* Materials selection
* Design for end of life
* Product longevity/life cycle extension
* Energy conservation
* End of life management
* Corporate performance
* Packaging

Products meeting or exceeding each of the 23 required criteria are recognized as EPEAT Bronze. Products meeting all required criteria and at least 50 percent of the tool’s optional criteria are recognized as EPEAT Silver. Products meeting all required criteria and at least 75 percent of the optional criteria are recognized as EPEAT Gold.

In addition to meeting Energy Star 4.0 requirements and providing 25 percent post-consumer recycled content in cardboard packaging, Dell offers large institutional customers who purchase the Latitude D630, OptiPlex 740 and 745 Energy Smart mini-tower systems the option of a returnable and reusable packaging program.

Dell helped lead the multi-stakeholder development of EPEAT and currently serves on its board of advisers. The company lists more than 60 computers, notebooks and monitors within the tool to help purchasers from the public and private sectors make environmentally responsible IT decisions. Federal agencies are required by executive order to ensure that at least 95 percent of the computer products they purchase are EPEAT-qualified.

Dell incorporates strict environmental standards into every aspect of its global business. Earlier this week, the company announced a long-term global effort to partner with customers, employees and suppliers to become the greenest technology company on the planet. The company also expanded its “Plant a Tree for Me” program to Europe and committed to reduce the carbon intensity of its global operations by 15 percent by 2012.

Availability
The Latitude D630 and OptiPlex 740 and 745 Energy Smart mini-tower systems are available immediately. For more information on Dell’s Energy Smart products, visit www.dell.com/energysmart. Customers can also learn more about Dell’s environmental and energy efficiency programs at www.dell.com/earth.