Since 2000, ASUS has dedicated itself to environmental protection and has initiated Green ASUS as its sustainability drive. We have included international regulations and directives such as RoHS, WEEE, EuP regulations as well as standards of various international eco labels into our technical standards. Therefore, the R&D engineer could refer to the technical standards at the product design stage so that the product could meet both requirements of eco label and of the green public procurement.
The followings are eco labels received by our products. Please choose the one you are interested in for more information and the list of the products:
TCO Certification
EPEAT
Taiwan Green Mark
China Environmental Labeling
Management Methods on Pollution Prevention and Control for Electronic Information Products
Energy Star
ASUS products meet global environmental regulations, and disclose product environmental information according to ECMA-370 “The Eco Declaration – TED”.
Global initiatives
Solving E-waste problems
At the highest level of global governance is the United Nations. Seeing that e-waste is a
international concern, it has stepped forward and implemented its Solving the E-waste
Problem (StEP) program
Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE or e-waste) is one of the largest and most socially- and environmentally-problematic waste streams in the world today. The Solving the e-waste problem (Step) Initiative is a collaborative global initiative uniquely leading global thinking, knowledge, awareness and innovation in the management and development of environmentally, economically and ethically-sound e-waste resource recovery, re-use and prevention. Step’s Mission is
(i) to foster inclusive solutions-oriented member dialogue, cooperation and consensus by providing a global platform for sharing information, knowledge and recommendations founded on expert scientific research and multi-stakeholder sectoral experience.
(ii) to work internationally with receptive external partners to develop fair and objective policies to stimulate and demonstrate practical, measured and effective responses to e-waste prevention, management and processes. In doing so, particular attention will be paid to the areas of product design, repair and refurbishment, improved management systems and recycling capacity-building.
(iii) to lead the e-waste management discussion worldwide by providing a scientific basis from which to inform and actively change the awareness, knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of the international business and consumer public.
Policy and Legislation
The Policy and Legislation task force reports and analyzes the status of existing techniques and policies for managing e-waste. Based on its research and study, the Policy and Legislation task force makes recommendations for future e-waste management solutions.
Specifically, the task force does these things:
• Analyzes and evaluates national legislation and the international framework for controlling and enforcing trade of e-waste and electronic recycling. Specifically, it examines how the European Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS), and energy-using products legislation, as well as the Basel Convention and other agreements on the national and international level, achieve their aims with regard to recycling and minimizing environmental impacts and how they contribute to sustainable development.
• Studies green purchasing schemes, especially how they apply to e-waste, in various countries and how that purchasing affects the trade of e-waste and used electronics products.
• Examines how to manage the e-waste problems in industrializing regions such as Africa and Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Southeast Asia.
• Serves as a resource for organizations in that it points out existing business models to support the sustainable use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in industrializing countries
Redesign
ReDesign The ReDesign task force supports a sustainable solution to the e-waste problem by focusing on the notion of concept and electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) design.
The group’s main objective is to optimize the life cycle characteristics of EEE and their adaptation to specific end-of-life conditions.Current “design for recycling” activities now are focused on industrialized nations. This task force makes special efforts in identifying specific issues in industrializing countries around the world
Reuse
The goal of the ReUse task force is to define globally consistent reuse practices, principles, and standards for EEE products from business-to-business (B2B) and
business-consumer (B2C) users that are economically, socially, and environmentally appropriate for:
• Changing consumer behavior to get acceptance for reuse and early product takeback. The idea is to avoid long storage by the consumer.
• Extending the usage of EEE products and components.
• Reducing the flow of irresponsible reuse between donor and developing countries.
Recycle
Old computers, notebook computers, and other electronic equipment contain hazardous chemicals that can be harmful to the environment when disposed in a landfill with trash. By recycling, the metals, plastics, and components found in an old computer will be broken down and reused to make new products. And, the environment is protected from any uncontrolled release of harmful chemicals.
Capacity Building
The Capacity Building task force focuses on building infrastructures for sustainable, efficient, effective, and target group–oriented capacity building, covering relevant aspects of the entire life cycle of EEE in order to sustainably solve the ever-growing e-waste problem.
Specific objectives include:
• Organizing mutual learning environments, including the identification of viable approaches adapted by different target countries and groups, and then testing and implementing these projects.
• Setting standards in the form of comprehensive guidelines for capacity building.
Basel Action Network
Basel Action Network’s (BAN) mission is to champion global environmental health and justice by ending toxic trade, catalyzing a toxics-free future, and campaigning for everyone’s right to a clean environment. We care about environmental justice and global sustainability. We believe that all peoples and environments should be protected from hazardous waste pollution. We focus on electronic waste (e-waste), the fastest growing waste stream globally, and old ships, like the cargo ships that once transported the goods we bought. We achieve our mission in three interrelated ways: by advocating for equitable policies at the United Nations Basel Convention, our namesake; by raising awareness of illegal export; and by certifying socially and environmentally responsible recyclers. The United Nations Basel Convention, our namesake, restricts hazardous waste trade. As trusted policy experts, we help delegates negotiate for equitable policies and technical guidelines. These have rippl…
BAN is active on a number of campaigns, including the following:
• E-Waste Stewardship Project
A program to ensure that exports of hazardous electronic waste to developing countries are eliminated and replaced with producer responsibility via green design programs and legislation.
We began the effort to certify truly responsible recyclers in 2003 with an unaudited program, where companies pledged in writing to a series of commitments such as refusing to dump in landfills and incinerators, export to developing countries, or use prison labor to process hazardous electronic waste.
By 2010, the program had matured into a globally accredited, ISO-based, thirdparty audited certification system widely recognized as the gold standard and the moral rudder in the multi-billion dollar electronics recycling industry.
Along with the growth of the e-Stewards certified electronics recyclers, the number of e-Stewards Enterprises has grown as well. This designation is given to companies, municipalities, and organizations of all types who agree to send their e-waste to e-Stewards Recyclers. Some of the most recent e-Stewards Enterprises include Bloomberg, Nestle, and major cities such as San Francisco and San Jose.
We have just completed a yearlong process of re-writing the e-Stewards Standard. The revision process harnessed the expertise of all of our e-Stewards recyclers along with other experts. It incorporates new decisions from international guidelines and the latest technological developments into a new format.
We believe this Version 2.0 of the e-Stewards Standard will be the gold standard for globally responsible recycling for at least the next five years before needing revision.
By the end of 2012, it is also BAN’s goal to place the administration of the e-Stewards program in the hands of an independent organization.
This new partner will handle the daily operations of the e-Stewards Certification program including working with our certifying bodies (CBs) and individual e-Stewards®Recyclers as well as maintaining and improving the STANDARDS.
• Green Shipbreaking
A program that ensures hazardous materials have been removed from U.S. government ships prior to export.
BAN sued the United
States Environmental Protection Agency for failing to prevent the US Navy from dumping toxics-laden obsolete naval vessels as part of a target practice program.
Earlier in 2011, we released a comprehensive report entitled
“Dishonorable Disposal” that details the irresponsible naval practice of open-water dumping of ships loaded with toxics instead of having them responsibly recycled by US recycling companies.
Not only is this practice unnecessary and tremendously polluting, it costs the United States hundreds of “green jobs” as well as vital metal resources. So far the EPA has tried and failed to get the suit dismissed and we will continue to pursue this suit with our usual tenacity.
At the 10th meeting of the Basel Parties in October 2011, BAN worked closely with our partners in the NGO Shipbreaking Platform and our allies in developing countries to make sure that big shipping companies did not succeed in removing ships from the scope of the Basel Convention. 
We were successful in defeating the efforts of the US, Japan, and the European Union to remove ships from Basel and instead deal with them solely in a far weaker International Maritime Organization shipping industry regime which would continue to allow the horrific practice of running old ships laden with asbestos, residual fuels, and toxic substances up on South Asian beaches to be broken down by the backs and hands of some of the worlds most impoverished workers.
Looking forward we aim to implement the Basel Ban for ships and to direct those ships now sailing towards the beaches to more sustainable ship recycling operations around the world.
We seek to bar the US government from disposing of its own and flagged toxic ships, from being disposed of on the beaches as well as by the excuse of target practice or artificial reefs.
• Zero Mercury Campaign
A program working toward an internationally binding treaty on mercury pollution to eliminate its extraction, use, trade, and recycling.
To promote permanent storage and alternative uses, BAN is working particularly to eliminate surplus mercury trade to developing countries.
• Basel Ban Ratification BAN promotes the Basel Ban Amendment Ratifications globally and works to prevent the weakening of this amendment.
Basel Convention
The Basel Convention has estimated the amount of hazardous and other waste generated for 2000 and 200 at 38 and 338 millions tonnes respectively. These figures are based on reports from the Parties to the Convention, which may not give the complete picture. Compare this with the almost 4 billion tonnes estimated by the OECD as generated by their 25 member countries in 200 (Environmental Outlook, OECD).
1. What are we aiming to accomplish?
BAN’s ultimate goal is to create a world where the world’s poorest people are protected from the toxic wastes of the world’s wealthiest people. In this sustainable future, what little toxic waste is still produced is recycled locally in the most environmentally and socially responsible way possible.
2. What are our strategies for making this happen?
BAN employs a threefold strategy of market-based solutions, public engagement, and policy advocacy. BAN’s e-Stewards Program certifies responsible electronics recycling via third-party audits to the industry’s most rigorous standard, thus defining and incentivizing the best recycling. BAN raises awareness to encourage citizens everywhere to ensure their old electronics are recycled responsibly. For companies, this means adopting policies to only use e-Stewards Certified
Recyclers for e-waste and proper ship recycling facilities for end-of-life ships, such as cargo and cruise ships. Both nationally and internationally, BAN engages in policy
advocacy to help secure equitable trade and recycling policies to protect human and environmental health while creating jobs.
3. What are our organization’s capabilities for doing this?
BAN is fortunate to have dedicated and knowledgeable staff. In particular, BAN’s founder and executive director is heralded as a walking encyclopedia on toxic trade instances and policies. But BAN’s strongest asset is its broad base of supporters: the generous donors, committed e-Stewards Enterprises and Certified Recyclers, and diligent delegates for the United Nations Basel Convention. Without these supporters, BAN’s successful programs wouldn’t be possible.
4. How will we know if we’re making progress?
BAN tracks the growth of e-Stewards members and the amount of electronics recycled as well as the number of supporters for banning waste trade from more developed countries to less developed countries.
5. What have and haven’t we accomplished so far?
Thanks to BAN’s advocacy, the toxic waste trade scandals of the 1980’s, which first spurred the genesis of both the United Nations Basel Convention and BAN, have largely disappeared. However, BAN sees a new wave of toxic trade: a regular, ongoing flood of old electronics or ships, which must also be extinguished.
Basel action implementation campaign
After many long years that BAN has worked to bring an international law banning the export of toxic wastes of all kinds from rich to poorer countries,we are now seeing end to that journey.
Why RoHS?
EU Directive 2011/65/EU (Restriction of the Electronic and Electrical Equipment) aims to prevent hazardous substances from entering the production process and thereby keep them out of the waste stream. As well as extending the restrictions to new categories of equipment, the regulations help to harmonise similar legislation across the European Union (EU) and ensure a simpler, more effective approach. This will help UK businesses by enabling fair markets and allowing greater market access.
Since 2 January 2013 RoHS has incorporated the obligations of CE marking upon manufacturers and, as such, the CE mark should be affixed to EEE to demonstrate compliance, as outlined in the Directive. It also requires manufacturers to prepare an EU declaration of conformity (DoC) demonstrating that they have complied with all their legal obligations.
The regulations extend previous restrictions on the use of hazardous substances across a wider range of products and devices, including:
• medical devices
•in vitro medical devices
•non-industrial monitoring and
control instruments
•industrial monitoring and control instruments
From 22 July 2019, RoHS will apply to all electrical and electronic goods regardless of their type, design or purpose.EU Directive 2011/65/EU (Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electronic and Electrical Equipment) restricts the amount of hazardous substances that can be used in the manufacture of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE).
Such hazardous substances can be difficult to manage at the end of the product life cycle, when electrical and electronic products are being disposed of or recycled. Therefore, the regulations focus on restricting them at the beginning of the cycle – during production in order to keep them out of the waste stream The new regulations came into effect on 2 January 2013, replacing the previous regulations that were introduced in 2002.
The restrictions are extended to more products, including medical devices and monitoring and control equipment, over the next few years, and to all EEE not specifically exempted by 2019.
The regulations also introduce CE marking for RoHS and require manufacturers to prepare a declaration of conformity demonstrating compliance with all their legal obligations. Meanwhile, importers and authorised representatives must also maintain documentation which demonstrates compliance.
The CE mark indicates compliance not only with RoHS but with all EU legislation.
By affixing the CE mark, you take full responsibility for compliance with all EU regulations that apply to your product. The general principles of CE marking are outlined in Regulation 768/2008/EC.
As RoHS restrictions are extended to new product categories (such as in vitro medical devices from 2016 onwards), these products will need to be CE marked from the date these restrictions apply.
The CE mark does not indicate that the product is made in the EU, only that the product meets the requirements of EU legislation.
What is EEE?
EEE is definsed as any equipment with a voltage rating not exceeding 1,000V for AC and 1,500V for DC that requires electric currents or electromagnetic fields to work, or equipment used for the generation, transfer and measurement of electric currents and fields. EEE can be a component or assembly used in a finished product. Cables and spare parts for repairing, reusing, updating or upgrading a product are all EEE. The RoHS regulations apply to EEE in specific product categories; see
‘Which EEE is affected?’ and ‘Which EEE is excluded?’ overleaf.
What is WEEE Directive?
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (also known as the WEEE Directive) is the European Union directive on WEEE and became law in February 2003. The directive sets collection, recycling, and recovery goals forused electronic equipment.
NOTE The WEEE Directive has become a popular model for managing e-waste. As you already read, several Canadian provinces have modeled their own legislation on Europe’s WEEE Directive.The directive places the responsibility for the disposal of WEEE on the manufacturers.
Manufacturers are required to establish a program for collecting WEEE. The directive states, “Users of electrical and electronic equipment from private households should have the possibility of returning WEEE at least free of charge.”
Which substances are restricted?
The Directive bans anyone from placing on the EU market EEE in which any homogeneous material contains more than the tolerated maximum concentration values (MCVs) of six substances:
• lead (Pb)
• mercury (Hg)
•hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI))
• cadmium (Cd)
• polybrominated biphenyls (PBB)
• polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE)
Following a review the following four additional substances have now been confirmed for inclusion in the RoHS Directive (as early as 22 July 2019):
• Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)
• Butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP)
• Dibutyl phthalate (DBP)
• Diisobutyl phthalate (DIBP)
How does RoHS affect me?
RoHS places legal obligations on you if you make or trade in EEE in any restricted product category as a:
• manufacturer
• manufacturer’s authorised representative
• importer
• distributor (including retailers)
For example, manufacturers must ensure that EEE are CE marked and must prepare a declaration of conformity confirming that they have complied with the regulations. If you are involved in more than one of these roles, you will be responsible for complying with the obligations of each activity; for example, if you import or distribute EEE in the UK under your own brand, you are considered to be the manufacturer of those products and must comply with the obligations of a manufacturer.
Taiwan
The population of Taiwan from 21.441 million in 1998 increase to 23.119 million in 2009.
•The garbage volume amount of Taiwan from 24,33 Ton/day in 1998 drop to 11,571 Ton/day in 2009.
•The average garbage volume amount from 1.14 kg/day/person in 1998 drop to 0.501kg/day/person in 2009.
•Decoupling of Waste Generation and Population Growth/Economic GrowthTaiwan is republican state of ChinaTaiwan is a small island with averaged U,S.$20,000/person/year in a near closed surrounding.
• The recycling scheme has clearly defined the roles among the government, producers, retails, and customer .
•The results show that recyclers and treatment plants can have subsidies from the Recycling Fund to have the profits. Therefore, many investments rush to the e-waste recycling and recovering business.
• Now many recyclers and treatment plants were built with vigor competition for recycling e-waste in Taiwan. The utilization rates of most of E-waste treatment plant are lower than 20%.
• On the other hand, government and producer share the responsibilities for recycling e-waste. Producers may have no responsibility for further recycling once they have paid the recycling fee.
• The actual situation is “Only part of the manufacturers, importers and sellers join the take back program or run the recycling program”. Some international companies complain that they have paid the recycling fee, but they still have to run their own recycling scheme and treatment system to fulfill the EPR requested by their mother company.
This is a report of the performance of volume of waste IT products recycled from 1998 to 2011.
EPEAT
In the United States, a product registry called the Electronic Product
Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) has begun to establish itself as a major force in Green IT procurement. EPEAT is a federally sponsored initiative that uses 51 environmental product compliance requirements that were developed through an industry group led by the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE).
In 2008, ASUSTeK became the first Taiwanese IT company to participate in the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT), the definitive global rating system for greener electronics. As of November 2013, ASUS had 302 products registered with EPEAT in 14 countries. Like other participating manufacturers, ASUS incorporates EPEAT registration into its larger Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program. ASUS has also leveraged the EPEAT system to help inform a wide range of its environmental initiatives.
In addition, ASUS has forged a partnership with GreenStar Hub to ensure those environmentally preferable devices are available to users of the group-buy marketplace. These strategic decisions underscore an executive-level dedication to green electronics
That sentiment is echoed on a wider level by Taiwan’s Green Trade Project Offi ce (GPTO), supervised by the Bureau of Foreign Trade and Economic Aff airs of Taiwan. “The GTPO seeks to green your life wherever possible, including in Taiwan’s strong electronics sector,” said Josh Yu, Marketing Manager for GTPO.
“ASUS’ EPEAT-registered products, awards and achievements are a testament of the Taiwanese company’s commitment to its long-term sustainability goals.”
Electronics from ASUS and others must meet two dozen environmental criteria to qualify for EPEAT, with more than two dozen optional criteria also available for manufacturers to showcase their environmental leadership with specifi c products. A diverse set of stakeholders develop the criteria used by the EPEAT system, addressing a range of aspects of a device’s lifespan.ASUS has continually implemented more of these criteria in its devices over the years, resulting in several environmental impact-reducing attributes.Today, nearly 82% of ASUS’ EPEAT-registered devices have attained an EPEAT Gold rating, meaning they meet 75% or more of the optional criteria in their category. These products are available in the GreenStar Hub group-buy marketplace in large part because they’ve met the consensus-based criteria used by EPEAT. ASUS’ approach to “design for environment” has evolved to meet EPEAT criteria, with an edict that “all products shall follow the eco-design requirements at the design stage.”
To address the requirement that manufacturers have visibility into their entire supply chain, the company has also setup a strict selection and audit process to manage their suppliers, ensuring that they comply with ASUSTeK’s quality management, green guidelines and CSR requirements. Annual supplier workshops were established as well to deliver the company’s supplier policies and communicate other relevant eco-design issues to them.
Not surprisingly, these changes posed the greatest challenge for ASUS to create comprehensive environmental product-design policies. ASUS says the investment has paid off .
“EPEAT and our internal eco-design standards have helped us improve the environmental performance of our devices,” said ASUS’ Lin. “EPEAT is helping transform the marketplace for green computer products.”
Taiwan’s GPTO was equally supportive of the EPEAT system and GreenStar Hub marketplace. “We are pleased to support programs like EPEAT that empower manufacturers, businesses, governments and consumers to green their lives by producing and purchasing electronics that are better for the environment,” said GTPO Marketing Manager Josh Yu. “GreenStar Hub’s green policy and RFQ databases, plus its GreenStar Rated marketplace, are eff ective international trade enablers of green tech products across borders,” Yu continued. “The GTPO is excited to have such powerful tools to expose buyers and sellers to opportunities.”
To fi nd ASUS’ environmentally preferable computers, search for them at http://www.epeat.net or get involved with the GreenStar Hub group-buy marketplace.
GREEN COMPUTING WITH ASUS 