1. GPP Training toolkit 7.1. Computers and Monitors
Module aims: To present the European Commission GPP criteria for Computers and Monitors, introduce the key environmental impacts of the product group, the availability and verification of green alternatives, and also non-procurement strategies for reducing environmental impacts in daily operations.
This document forms part of the EU GPP Training Toolkit. The full toolkit can be found on the European Commission GPP website:

2. Module 7.1 – Computers and Monitors
GPP Training Toolkit
Module 1: Introduction
Module 4: Needs Assessment
Module 2: Strategic Aspects of GPP
Module 5: Circular Procurement
Module 3: Legal Aspects of GPP
Module 6: Market Engagement
Module 7: Operational (Computers&Monitors)
Module 7.1 – Computers and Monitors

3. Environmental impacts
How do these products impact the environment?
Key life cycle environmental aspects:
GHG emissions and climate change
Air, soil and water pollution, and bioaccumulation
Consumption of non-renewable natural resources
Generation of potentially toxic and hazardous waste
Impacts of computers and monitors depend on:
Form factor of the computer
Use pattern of computers and displays
What are the critical environmental impacts of computers and displays? The criteria focus on the most significant environmental impacts
Evidence from life cycle assessments suggests that the “hot spots” of environmental impacts are:
The consumption of energy for the production and use of IT products results in significant emissions of greenhouse gases, thus significantly contributing to climate change;
The extraction and processing of raw materials used to manufacture IT products have significant hazardous effects on air, soil and water, which in turn, result in an increased concentration of pollutants (metals) in biological organisms throughout the food chain. This process is also known as bioaccumulation and, in this case, particularly affects aquatic organisms;
The manufacture of these products requires intensive exploitation and use of a wide range of minerals which are resources that cannot be replaced in our lifetime;
Electronic items contain toxic and dangerous materials (such as lead, cadmium, and mercury) which can potentially contaminate air and water when they are disposed of.
However, these impacts are not equally relevant to all the sub-products of the considered product group as their significance varies according to:
The form factor of the computer (e.g., desktop, notebook, tablet);
The use pattern of computer and displays.
As desktop computers and displays are usually more energy-intensive to run compared to notebooks and tablets, their environmental impacts mainly relate to the electricity consumed during equipment operation. By contrast, as notebooks and tablets use less electricity and include miniaturized components with a high concentration of critical raw materials, their most significant environmental impacts are associated with the manufacturing of their sub-assemblies, such as motherboards, display units, hard drives, and batteries. Finally, as portable electronic devices are generally exposed to conditions and stresses that significantly shorten their lifespan and convert them very quickly into e-waste, their environmental hotspots mostly relate to their end-of-life management.
* R. Kuehr, Eric Williams (2003), Computers and the Environment: Understanding and Managing their Impacts
240 Kg of fossil fuels, 22 kg of chemicals and 1,500 kg of water are needed to make one desktop computer*
Module 7.1 – Computers and Monitors

4. Module 7.1 – Computers and Monitors
Scope
What is included in the EU GPP criteria?
Products
Stationary computers (desktop computers, servers, workstations)
Display devices (Computer monitors )
Portable computers (notebooks, tablets, etc.)
Services
IT equipment and management services
IT end-of-life management services
Renewal of old IT equipment
End-of-life management services
Which products and services do these GPP criteria apply to?
IT products:
Stationary computers: desktop Computers (incl. integrated desktop computers and thin clients); small-scale servers; and workstations
Display devices
Portable computers: notebook computers (including subnotebooks); two-in-one notebook; tablet computers; portable all-in-one computer; mobile thin client.
The EU GPP criteria also apply to the following IT service contracts:
IT equipment and management service: a contract which lays down the IT functional performance requirements to be provided and leaves it to the contracted service provider to determine the best way of providing them. The IT equipment is leased to the contracting authority.
IT end-of-life management services (covered in Section 4.2 of the criteria document)
Renewal of old IT equipment: a contract to take away old IT equipment could be let in parallel with, or in combination with, a contract for the supply of new IT equipment. For example, some suppliers remanufacture their brand products and/or can certify data erasure and proper treatment of collected equipment from any brand.
End-of-life management services: a separate contract may be let with the specific intention of attracting bidders that are specialised in the re-use and recycling of used IT equipment, thus ensuring better opportunities to extend their lifespan.
(note: these product definitions are inclusive of any external peripherals (e.g. mouse, track pad, keyboard) and power supplies that are supplied with the product)
Module 7.1 – Computers and Monitors

5. Module 7.1 – Computers and Monitors
Needs assessment
Choosing the right kind of IT product/service
Assess your needs before tendering!
Key questions:
Is a new purchase necessary?
How will the computers and monitors be used?
Will they be subject to day-to- day stresses and accidents?
Would a service contract meet your needs/avoid environmental impacts more effectively? (see this case study as an example)
Responsible use of IT products
Computer:
Turn it off at the end of the day
Use sleep setting
Monitor:
Turn it off when not in use
Disable screen savers
Servers:
Airflow efficiency in server rooms
Reducing IT load through virtualization
Before starting the procurement process, it is crucial for a contracting authority to assess its actual needs in light of the potential environmental impact of the contract. A good needs assessment could result in significant energy and cost savings, as it helps to check if there are opportunities for a rationalisation of the overall consumption of IT products.
In some cases, just not buying is the better and greenest option.
The key questions are:
Is a new purchase necessary? (i.e., is it possible to upgrade/replace your existing hardware and software technology?)
What functions do they need to fulfil? (i.e., how are the computers and monitors going to be used? How durable and robust do they need to be, etc.)
Would a service contract meet your needs/avoid environmental impacts more effectively?
Apart from carrying out a needs assessment, there are also some organisational and management aspects which can be taken into account by a contracting authority on the top of the procurement process to reduce its environmental impacts and achieve sustainability goals beyond the purchasing process.
As one of the most relevant environmental impacts of IT products relates to electricity consumed during their use, it is important for a public authority to inform its employers on the proper use habits to adopt when using computers and monitors (staff education).
Best practices to save energy are the following:
Computers should always be shut down via the software daily while leaving the office and should be set up to enter sleep mode automatically when in use during office hours.
Monitors should be turned off whenever leaving your desk (e.g., at lunchtime, to attend a meeting, at the end of the working day) and set up to enter sleep mode during office hours. It is also recommended to avoid the use of screen-savers as they use the monitor at full capacity rather than reducing energy consumption.
Servers should be located in a dedicated server room, with appropriate and efficient cooling and ventilation. It is also recommended to reduce IT loads in the server room through virtualization, i.e., a technology that involves dividing one physical server into multiple isolated virtual environments. Server virtualization improves the use of existing IT resources while reducing energy consumption.
ICT equipment management and services case study (CONSIP, Italy):
More information in: Module 4: Needs Assessment
Module 7.1 – Computers and Monitors

6. EU GPP Computer and monitors approach
Opportunities for more sustainable IT products
Purchase energy efficient models
Purchase products with a restricted amount of hazardous constituents and with a reduced potential for hazardous emissions upon disposal
Design for durability, upgradeability and reparability
Product life extension upon the end of its service life
Design for dismantling and end-of-life management to maximize the recovery of resources
Module 7.1 – Computers and Monitors

7. Module 7.1 – Computers and Monitors
EU GPP Criteria
Computers and Monitors – published 2016
Examples:
Selection criteria (SC) – supplier’s ability to verify the presence of restricted substances across the supply chain
Technical specifications (TS) – a certain number of years of warranty (covering repair or replacement of the products) to be provided
Award criteria (AC) – extra points for each additional year of warranty and service agreement offered on the top of the minimum technical specification
Contract performance clauses (CPC) – a report on the status of the equipment once all items have been processed for re-use or recycling/disposal, to be provided
EU GPP criteria are divided into:
Selection criteria – used to assess the ability of an operator to perform a contract. Can only include criteria specifically related to the subject matter of the contract (computers and monitors example – suppliers need to demonstrate the operation of controls along the supply chain to check the presence of restricted substances in the products to be supplied)
Technical specifications – used to set minimum requirements that must be met by all tenders. Must relate to the characteristics of the work, supply or service being purchased (computers and monitors example – some components of the products to be supplied should be designed so as they can be easily accessed and replaced by using universally available tools)
Award criteria – used to stimulate additional environmental performance, but are not mandatory (computers and monitors example – extra points awarded for each additional year of warranty and service agreement offered that is more than the minimum technical specification)
Contract performance clauses – specify how a contract must be carried out. Relevant to service contracts (computers and monitors example – if you have a contract for the procurement of end-of-life management services, the supplier must provide a report on the status of the equipment in the inventory once all items have been processed for re-use or recycling/disposal)
For each set of criteria there are two levels of ambition:
Core – designed to allow easy application of GPP, focussing on the key area(s) of environmental performance of a product and aimed at keeping administrative costs for companies to a minimum
Comprehensive – take into account more aspects or higher levels of environmental performance, for use by authorities that want to go further in supporting environmental and innovation goals.
Computers and monitors example – early retirement and replacement of the equipment result in greater impacts associated with primary production stages and non-renewable resources extraction. Procurers can reduce impacts by requiring products covered by a warranty and service agreement that ensures a greater supplier’s responsibility for the repairing of any defects.
Core: a minimum two-year warranty, covering repair or replacement of the products; spare parts are made available for at least three years from the date of purchase;
Comprehensive: a minimum five-year warranty, covering repair or replacement of the products; spare parts are made available for at least five years from the date of purchase.
EU GPP Criteria for Computers and Monitors:
For full criteria see:
EU GPP Criteria for Computers and Monitors
Module 7.1 – Computers and Monitors

8. Module 7.1 – Computers and Monitors
Verification
Checking compliance with GPP criteria for computers and monitors
What to ask for?
When?
Test reports
Ecolabels
Self-declarations
Product manual
User instructions
Technical, legal and visual documentation
Price lists
Compliance with GPP criteria needs to assessed both at the time of selection of best offer and during the contract execution phase.
Verification systems are product-specific, they include different requirements and they may consist in the submission of existing documentation that the supplier has at their disposal and of specific documentation to be produced to prove compliance with an environmental requirement.
In the case of computers and monitors, both types of documentation need to be asked to ensure compliance with the EU GPP criteria.
Each criterion has its corresponding verification that must always be included in the tender documentation.
Procurers should also make clear what needs to be verified during the evaluation and selection stage and what needs to be verified during contract execution.
Tenderers should always be allowed to provide verification based on equipment holding the EU Ecolabel or another relevant Type I Eco-label I (according to ISO 14024) fulfilling the same specified requirements.
EU GPP Criteria for Computers and Monitors:
For full verification instructions see:
EU GPP Criteria for Computers and Monitors
Module 7.1 – Computers and Monitors

9. Module 7.1 – Computers and Monitors
Market Availability
How to identify sustainable products or services
Most EU GPP criteria are based on the EU Ecolabel
Other relevant labels:
Energy Star - energy efficiency focus (see list of qualified products)
Multi-criteria labels, such as:
TCO (350 computers and >3000 monitors certified)
EPEAT (>4000 products certified, database organised by country)
Blue Angel (low uptake)
Nordic Swan (low uptake)
Ecolabels are not all the same!
Some ecolabels are more valuable than others – procurers should choose “Type 1” ecolabels (i.e., verified by a third party and awarded on the basis of life cycle impacts)
See Module 3 (Legal Aspects of GPP) for more on ecolabels
Best way to check the market availability of “green” options is to start from the availability of certified products.
The GPP Criteria for computers and monitors are mainly based on the EU Ecolabel for Electronic equipment. However, according to the EU Ecolabel Product Catalogue, there are no personal, notebook and tablet computers currently carrying this label. The main barrier to the uptake of these products is represented by the difficulty in complying with the scheme’s specifications related with the use of hazardous substances.
Depending on the product or service being purchased and the specific environmental aspect being addressed, market availability of “green” products can be checked by using other relevant “Type 1 ecolabels”, which ensure equivalent standards and performances foreseen by the EU Ecolabel.
Energy Star is the most popular ecolabel for energy efficiency and can be used to identify computers and monitors fulfilling the minimum energy efficiency requirements set by the EU GPP criteria. All relevant ecolabels (i.e. EU Ecolabel, Nordic Swan, TCO, Blue Angel, and EPEAT) refer to a specific version or, more generally, to the most recently published Energy Star program requirements for computers and displays.
Although the EU-US Energy Star Agreement has expired on 20 February 2018, public purchasers can still make use of the lists of qualified products on the EU market (see this link -> that were registered under the EU Energy Star programme according to specification levels in force before the expiration of the agreement (i.e., 6.1 for computers and 7.0 for monitors).
Other relevant multi-criteria labels, all complying with Energy Star standards and addressing other environmental aspects (reduction of hazardous substances, extended product life, and eco-design), are:
TCO Certified: there are 107 desktop computers, 104 all-in-one PCs, 139 notebooks, 7 tablets and more than 3000 displays currently certified as TCO. For the full upgraded database see the following link ->
EPEAT Ecolabel: one of the most popular environmental labels for IT products. The database is organised by country/region in which the products are registered. In Germany, for example, there are 136 desktops, 434 monitors, 246 notebooks, 52 integrated desktop computers, and 10 tablets currently certified as EPEAT. For the full upgraded database see the following link ->
Blue Angel: the uptake of this scheme on electronics is currently quite low. At the moment there are only 6 keyboards, 1 monitor, and 4 data centres/servers certified as Blue Angel, while no computers or laptops seem to hold this certification. For the full upgraded database see the following link ->
Nordic Swan: for this product category, only incomplete information on certified products. There are no products currently holding this label in Sweden, for example (
Further information on other relevant ecolabels can be found in the Technical Background report for Computers and Monitors:
More on other relevant ecolabels: Technical Background report
Module 7.1 – Computers and Monitors

10. Module 7.1 – Computers and Monitors
Using Ecolabels in GPP
Verifying compliance with EU GPP criteria
Type I Ecolabels fulfilling the specified EU GPP criteria to be included in the tender can be used to check compliance with these requirements when assessing tenders
For example, the EPEAT Ecolabel can be accepted for the verification of the following EU GPP criteria:
TS3 - Declaration for REACH Candidate
TS5(c) - Ease of replacement for rechargeable batteries
TS6 - Marking of plastic casings, enclosures and bezels
The EPEAT Ecolabel for Computer and Displays can be accepted as one means of proof of compliance with the following GPP Criteria:
TS3 - Declaration for REACH Candidate: the tenderer shall declare the presence of any REACH Candidate List substances at a concentration of greater than 0.1% (weight by weight) in the whole product and in each of the following sub-assemblies […]
TS5(c) - Ease of replacement for rechargeable batteries: rechargeable batteries shall not be glued or soldered into portable products. It shall be possible for a professional user or repair service provider to replace the rechargeable battery.
TS6 - Marking of plastic casings, enclosures and bezels: external plastic casings, enclosures and bezels with a weight greater than 100 grams and a surface area greater than 50 cm2 shall be marked in accordance with ISO and ISO
For more on the use of ecolabels in GPP see Module 3: Legal Aspects of GPP
The EPEAT Ecolabel criteria for Computers and Displays are based on the IEEE Standard which can be found at:
The EPEAT Ecolabel for Computers and Displays and criteria can be found in – IEEE Standard for Environmental and Social Responsibility Assessment of Computers and Displays
Module 7.1 – Computers and Monitors

11. Module 7.1 – Computers and Monitors
Using Ecolabels in GPP
Adding further criteria to your tender
As well as verification, Type I ecolabels can be a source of additional criteria
Some ecolabel criteria – but not all – can be used in a tender.
Examples from the EPEAT Ecolabel:
Criterion : product shall contain, on average, a minimum of 2% of any combination of postconsumer recycled plastic, ITE-derived post- consumer recycled plastic, or bio based plastic […].
Criterion : manufacturer shall annually conduct a corporate carbon footprint (CCF) which includes greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from manufacturer-owned and leased facilities […]
Depending on an authority’s needs and priorities, a procurer may wish to develop their own or add additional criteria to a call for tender.
Type I ecolabels can be a good place to find additional, verifiable criteria.
However it is also necessary to be aware, that all selection criteria, technical specifications, award criteria and contract clauses must be linked to the subject-matter (LtSM) of the contract
This is important for GPP, as it limits the ability to look at the overall practices of a bidding company
Definition of the LtSM requirement: “[criteria which] relate to the works, supplies or services to be provided under that contract in any respect and at any stage of their life cycle, including factors involved in:
(a) the specific process of production, provision or trading of those works, supplies or services; or
(b) a specific process for another stage of their life cycle, even where such factors do not form part of their material substance.” (Art. 67)
See Module 3 (Legal Aspects of GPP) for more on LtSM and the use of ecolabels.
The EPEAT Ecolabel criteria for Computers and Displays are based on the IEEE Standard which can be found at:
The EPEAT Ecolabel for Computers and Displays and criteria can be found in – IEEE Standard for Environmental and Social Responsibility Assessment of Computers and Displays
Module 7.1 – Computers and Monitors

12. Legislation supporting GPP
Product information obligations under EU regulations
Eco-design regulation for computers and servers (EU) No 617/2013 (computers and small servers)
Energy efficiency and battery life
EU GPP core criteria TS1 and AC1/comprehensive criteria AC5
REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2009
List of Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) above 0.1% w/w
EU GPP core criteria TS3 and comprehensive criteria TS4
Companies have legal obligations under several EU regulations to provide useful product information which can be used by procurers to facilitate compliance checks. Examples of legislation supporting GPP application are the following:
Eco-design regulation for computers and servers (EU) No 617/2013: this regulation includes requirements covering energy efficiency and product information which apply to computers and small servers. It also includes requirements for the efficiency of the internal power supply and power management.
Point 7 of Annex II to this regulation sets out the information that manufacturers are required to provide in the technical documentation and make publicly available on free-access websites. The information to be provided includes technical aspects of computers and servers (e.g., E(TEC) value, battery life) which can be used to check compliance with the EU GPP requirements regarding the energy efficiency performances for computers (e.g. core criteria TS1 and AC1) and battery performances for notebook computers (e.g. core criteria AC5).
For the full list of technical information to be provided by manufacturers, see the full Eco-design regulation here: content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32013R0617&from=EN
REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2009: REACH regulation requires companies to identify and manage the risks linked to the substances they manufacture and market in the EU. Substances which meet the criteria for classification as carcinogenic, mutagenic, or toxic for reproduction (in accordance with the CLP Regulation), or which are persistent, bio cumulative and toxic (according to REACH Annex XIII), or other substances that cause an equivalent level of concern, may be identified as Substances of Very High Concern (SVHC) and added to the REACH Candidate List.
Article 33 of this regulation requires any supplier of an article containing a SVHC and identified in a concentration above 0,1% weight by weight (w/w) to provide the recipient of the article with “sufficient information, available to the supplier, to allow safe use of the article including, as a minimum, the name of that substance”. EU GPP core criteria TS3 – Declaration for Reach Candidate List substances – makes use of this legal obligation, by requiring companies to declare the presence of any specific REACH Candidate List substances at a concentration of greater than 0.1% (weight by weight) in the whole product and in some of its sub-assemblies. The information to be provided by the manufacturer can also be used to check the compliance with the EU GPP requirement regarding the presence of plasticizers in external cables (comprehensive criteria TS4).
More information on the REACH SVHC Candidate list can be found here:
Apart from the above mentioned examples of EU regulations supporting GPP, there are also several examples of EU legislation supported by GPP, i.e. the inclusion of EU GPP criteria in the procurement process ensures compliance with (and application of) environmental provisions included in sectoral EU directives, such as:
The Energy Efficiency Directive 2012/27/EU requires that office products purchased by central governments must meet the latest EU versions of Energy Star, i.e. 6.1 for computers and 7.0 for monitors. However, although the reference to Energy Star has not been removed from the Energy Efficiency Directive, as the Energy Star Agreement has now expired, it is recommended to no longer refer to these criteria in procurement tenders, but to refer instead directly to the minimum energy efficiency requirements set for the latest relevant EU Energy Star versions.
Energy Efficiency Directive.
Other relevant legislation:
Directive 2011/65/EU on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (RoHS)
RoHS:
More information in:
Eco-design regulation for computers and servers
REACH Candidate List for SVHCs
Other relevant legislation:
The Energy Efficiency Directive 2012/27/EU
RoHS Directive
Module 7.1 – Computers and Monitors

13. Module 7.1 – Computers and Monitors
Life Cycle Costing
Definition and potential applications
LCC = considering all the costs that will be incurred during the lifetime of a product, work or service
Running costs account for up to 13% (displays) and 83% (computers)
Main potential for savings:
Hardware
Operation
Support and upgrading
End of service life
LCC applications:
Planning
Tender evaluation
LCC tools available:
European Commission LCC tool
Smart SPP LCC and CO2 tool
User guide
Technical specifications
GPP 2020 calculator
Buy Smart: Green Procurement For Smart Purchasing
Life Cycle Costing (LCC) is a methodology that can be used to estimate all the costs that will be incurred throughout the lifetime of a product, work or service. By applying LCC, public purchasers can take into account some cost aspects which are not reflected in the purchase price (such as resource use, maintenance and disposal), thus making a better long-term investment decision.
Why is it important in the purchase of IT products?
It was estimated that running costs of IT equipment (including electricity bills, equipment repairs, and hardware upgrades) could be in the range of 8-13% (displays) and 56-83% (computers) of the life cycle costs. The application of a Life Cycle Costs, therefore, could result in a significant cost saving for the contracting authority.
(More information in section 5 of the EU GPP Criteria for Computers and Monitors)
The main potential for savings over the life-cycle of IT products are:
Hardware – around 17-44% of LCC for desktops and notebooks and 87-92% for displays;
Operation – around 8-15% of LCC;
Support and upgrading – around 54-70% of LCC for desktops and laptops;
End of life service – manufacturers and specialist WEEE handlers can recover up to 7% of the original cost for re-use and up to 2% of the original cost for recycling.
What are the potential applications of an LCC methodology?
LCC could be used as a support for public purchasers at two stages of a procurement process:
Planning – to estimate the real cost impact of alternative options to define the scope of a call for tender;
Tender evaluation – to compare the life cycle costs of different bids. Examples:
Extra points might be awarded to tenders with the lowest LCC;
an LCC below a certain value over a specified period could be included as a binding requirement:
tenderers might be asked to provide the contracting authority with the necessary data for estimating the LCC of the product to be supplied, or to carry out an LCC analysis on their own, following the methodology specified in the tender documents.
(For further details on how LCC approaches can be used as part of public procurement procedures see Article 68(2) of Directive 2014/24/EU and Article 83(2) of Directive 2014/25/EU)
A number of different LCC tools and methodologies are available for the procurement of IT products:
European Commission LCC tool: the European Commission’s calculator for LCC of office IT equipment (
Smart SPP LCC and CO2 tool: a general tool for assessing both LCC and CO2 emissions in procurement, developed within the SMART-SPP project;
Tool:
User Guide:
Technical Specifications:
GPP 2020 calculator for office ICT equipment: a tool for estimating the energy consumption and operating costs of office equipment and the savings with Energy Star (
Buy Smart: the Berlin Energy Agency’s calculation tool for the procurement of IT products, developed within the Buy Smart project.
Module 7.1 – Computers and Monitors

14. Case studies
ICT equipment and management services
(CONSIP, Italy)
Collection & refurbishment of redundant ICT equipment
(Durham County Council, United Kingdom)
Purchasing Framework for energy efficient client computer systems
(Scottish Government, United Kingdom)
GPP Helpdesk For further support on GPP, contact the EU’s free Helpdesk
ICT equipment and management services
(CONSIP, Italy):
Collection & refurbishment of redundant ICT equipment
(Durham County Council, United Kingdom):
Purchasing Framework for energy efficient client computer systems
(Scottish Government, United Kingdom):
Toolkit developed for the European Commission by ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability
Module Author: Fondazione Ecosistemi
Owner, Editor: European Commission, DG Environment, 2019
Photos: courtesy of Pixabay.com under Creative Commons CCO
Disclaimer: This toolkit is an indicative document of the Commission services and cannot be considered binding to this institution in any way. Neither the European Commission nor any person acting on behalf of the Commission is responsible for the use that might be made of the information in this document.
Module 7.1 – Computers and Monitors