Green Electronics Council
Registry Services Department

Verification Round Plan

P42Issue 1 Rev 0

Green Electronics Council
227 SW Pine Street, Suite 300 • Portland, OR 97204 • V: (503) 279-9382 • F: (503) 279-9381 • www.epeat.net

PLAN FOR VERIFICATION ROUND PC-2017-02
PCs and Displays
January 2017
I.

PURPOSE AND CONTENTS OF THIS DOCUMENT

This document outlines the plan for a Verification Round of Investigations to be performed inaccordance with P15 Verification Procedure, this Verification Plan, and EPEAT scheme rules.

II.

SELECTION OF CRITERIA AND PRODUCTS FOR VERIFICATION

Verification Round PC-2017-02 will investigate criteria from IEEE 1680.1 which had high rates of NonConformance during the last four Verification Rounds or which have not been recently investigated. Six(6) targeted Level 0 investigations are planned for this round. At the conclusion of the Level 0 phase, anadditional number (to be determined) of Level 1 investigations will be conducted. The number ofinvestigations will be chosen taking a variety of factors into account including which criteria arecurrently being claimed by individual manufacturers. In addition, all Level 0 investigations that yielded a
decision of inconclusive will automatically move to the Level 1 phase.
The criteria for investigation include the following:






4.1.5.1 – Optional – Elimination of intentionally added hexavalent chromium
4.2.1.3 – Optional – Higher content of postconsumer recycled plastic
4.5.2.1 – Optional – Renewable energy accessory available
4.5.2.2 – Optional – Renewable energy accessory standard
4.6.1.2 – Optional – Auditing of recycling vendors
4.7.1.1 – Required – Demonstration of corporate environmental policy consistent with ISO
14001
4.8.2.2 – Optional – Packaging 90% recyclable and plastics labeled

In a Level 0 investigation, an Auditor assesses Conformance to a criterion by examining publicly available
information only – no products are obtained for inspection or testing, and the Manufacturer is not asked
to submit documentation. If the publicly available information is inconclusive (i.e. was not available,
could not be found from public sources, or did not provide enough details to determine conformance),
the Auditor may be instructed to proceed with a Level 1 investigation. In Level 1 investigations, anAuditor assesses Conformance to a criterion by examining information submitted by a Participating
Manufacturer. The Manufacturer is required to provide detailed and accurate information in a 60-day
period.

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The products and criteria will be selected as follows:
Selection Process:Step 1

Step 2 –Level 0selection
Step 3

Step 4 –begin
Level 1
selection
Step 5

Step 6

Step 7

Step 8

Step 9A master list of all products will be pulledfrom the EPEAT Registry.
Level 0 Sort the list of products on 4.5.2.1. From
this list, GEC will randomly select aproduct for each targeted Manufacturer
for Level 0 investigation.
Check that specific products and criteria
chosen were not verified within the pastyear.
Level 1 Sort the master list of products on
criterion 4.2.1.3. From this list, GEC will
randomly select a product for eachtargeted Manufacturer claiming 4.2.1.3.

Notes:All products that are currently active in
the Registry will be included.
Manufacturers with previous NonConformances (since PC-2015-04) thatare currently claiming 4.5.2.1 will beinvestigated for this criterion.
A specific criterion on a specific productmay not be verified more than once
every six months.
Manufacturers with previous NonConformances claiming high levels ofrecycled content will be investigated forthis criterion.

Sort the master list of products on
criterion 4.5.2.2. From this list, GEC will
randomly select a product from any
Manufacturers claiming this criterion.

Manufacturers with previous NonConformances will be investigated forthis criterion.

Sort the master list of products on
criterion 4.1.5.1. From this list, GEC will
randomly select products claiming thiscriterion.

This criterion has not been investigatedrecently.

Sort the master list of products on
criterion 4.6.1.2 From this list, GEC will
randomly select products claiming thiscriterion.

Manufacturers will be chosen who have
not yet or recently been investigated forthis criterion.

Sort the master list of products on
criterion 4.7.1.1. From this list, GEC will
randomly select products claiming thiscriterion.
Sort the master list of products, on
criterion 4.8.2.2. From this list, GEC will
randomly select products claiming

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Manufacturers with previous NonConformances (since PC-2015-04) thatare currently claiming 4.8.2.2 will be
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Step 10III.

4.8.2.2.

investigated for this criterion.

Check that specific products and criteria
chosen were not verified within the pastyear.

A specific criterion on a specific productmay not be verified more than once
every six months.

All products that are currently active in the Registry are eligible for inclusion.

All geographies and Manufacturers are eligible for inclusion.

Exception is as follows: If a criterion is randomly selected for a product and that product has
been investigated against that criterion in the last six months, a new product will be randomly
selected for that criterion.

For targeted, Level 1 investigations, Manufacturers will not be subject to more than four
investigations during this Round.

VERIFICATION PROCESSSThe Verification Round will proceed in accordance with current procedures, as outlined below.
Level 0 Investigations - Targeted Criteria and Manufacturers:
The Level 0 portion of the Verification Round will proceed in accordance with current procedures, asoutlined below.
The EPEAT Scheme will take a “snapshot” of the Registry, from which products will beselected for investigation.

The EPEAT Scheme will instruct Conformity Assurance Bodies (if applicable – see SectionV) to proceed with the investigations.

Conformity Assurance Bodies will assign investigations to (an) Auditor(s). The Auditor(s)will NOT notify the subject Manufacturers that their products are being investigated atthis time.

The Auditors will perform the investigations as assigned within the allotted time, andprepare an Investigation Report for each investigation, recommending conformance orinconclusive based on publicly available data.

Conformity Assurance Bodies will review all Investigation Reports to ensure they areclear and complete and the evidence supports the recommendation, and will forward
the Report and supporting evidence to the EPEAT Scheme. At the same time,
Conformity Assurance Body will forward the draft Reports (without the final ConformityDecision Panel decision) to the subject Manufacturers.



Investigation reports will be reviewed by the Conformity Decision Panel or members of
the Green Electronics Council staff and a decision will be made regarding conformity.
The CDP makes a final decision on all recommendations of Non-Conformance. Either

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GEC staff members or the CDP may make final decisions on recommendations ofconformance or inconclusive. The Conformity Decision Panel and GEC staff members
will be blind to the specific products and Manufacturers for which they are making
conformity decisions. In the case of a finding of inconclusive, the EPEAT Scheme will
launch a Level 1 investigation. The Verification Process for Level 1 investigations can beseen below.
Conformity Assurance Bodies will inform the subject Manufacturers of the Conformity
Decision Panel’s conformity decision. For decisions of Non-Conformance, Manufacturers
will be required to take corrective action within 14 calendar days to restore the accuracyof the declaration in the EPEAT Registry.

Level 1 Investigations - Targeted Criteria and Manufacturers:
The Level 1 portion of the Verification Round will proceed in accordance with current procedures, asoutlined below.


The Conformity Decision Panel will approve this Verification Round Plan.

The Green Electronics Council will take a “snapshot” of the Registry. Products will beselected as per this document.



The Verification Round Plan will be published on epeat.net.

The Green Electronics Council will instruct Conformity Assurance Bodies (if applicable –see Section V) to proceed with the investigations.

Conformity Assurance Bodies will assign investigations to (an) Auditor(s), and will notify
the subject Manufacturers that their products are being investigated.

The Auditors will perform the investigations as assigned within 60 calendar days, andprepare an Investigation Report for each investigation, recommending conformance or
nonconformance.

Conformity Assurance Bodies will review all Investigation Reports to ensure they areclear and complete and the evidence supports the recommendation, and will forward
the Report and supporting evidence to the Green Electronics Council.

Investigation reports will be reviewed by the Conformity Decision Panel or members of
the Green Electronics Council staff and a decision will be made regarding conformity.
The CDP makes a final decision on all recommendations of Non-Conformance. Either
GEC staff members or the CDP may make final decisions on recommendations ofconformance or inconclusive. The Conformity Decision Panel and GEC staff members
will be blind to the specific products and Manufacturers for which they are making
conformity decisions.

Conformity Assurance Bodies will inform the subject Manufacturers of the Conformity
Decision Panel’s conformity decision. For decisions of Non-Conformance, Manufacturers
will be required to take corrective action within 14 calendar days to restore the accuracyof the declaration in the EPEAT Registry.

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IV.

The Green Electronics Council will publish a "Verification Round Outcomes Report"
identifying the nonconforming products and Manufacturers, as well as the action taken
to restore accuracy of the declarations in the Registry.

CONFORMITY DECISION PANEL

The following individuals are the members of the Conformity Decision Panel:


V.

Libby Chaplin, CEO, Arcadian Solutions
Jack Geibig, President, Ecoform
Robert Pfahl, Pfahl Consulting L.L.C.
Annette Roesler, Ph.D., Independent Professional Chemist

PRODUCT REGISTRATION ENTITIES AND QUALIFIED VERIFIERS

All investigations will be conducted through Conformity Assurance Bodies approved by the GreenElectronics Council. The following Conformity Assurance Bodies may be involved in Investigations forthis Verification Round:
 GEC
 Intertek
 ULE

VI.

VERIFICATION ROUND PLAN APPROVALThe Conformity Decision Panel approved the Level 0 portion of this Verification Round Plan bydiscussion and/or email on January 20, 2017. CA Staff approved the Level 1 portion of this Verification
Plan on March 24, 2017.

VII.

SUMMARY OF PC-2017-02 PLANNED INVESTIGATIONS

Criterion
4.1.5.1# Planned
Investigations

Verification Selection and Process

4.2.1.3



4.5.2.1



Optional – Elimination of intentionally added hexavalentchromium
Level 1 investigation
Product randomly chosen as this criterion has not been
investigated recently.
Optional – Higher content of postconsumer recycled plastic
Level 1 investigation
Manufacturers with previous Non-Conformances claiming highlevels of recycled content will be investigated.
Optional – Renewable energy accessory available
Level 0 investigation, move to Level 1 in case of Inconclusive
Product randomly chosen if this criterion is claimed by aManufacturer with a previous Non-Conformance.

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Criterion
4.5.2.2



4.6.1.2



4.7.1.1



4.8.2.2# Planned
Investigations

Verification Selection and Process

1

Optional – Renewable energy accessory standard
Level 1 investigation
Product randomly chosen if this criterion is claimed by aManufacturer with a previous Non-Conformance.
Optional – Auditing of recycling vendors
Level 1 investigation
Manufacturers will be chosen who have not yet or recently been
investigated for this criterion
Required – Demonstration of corporate environmental policy
consistent with ISO 14001
Level 1 investigation
Product randomly chosen as this criterion has not been
investigated recently.
Optional – Packaging 90% recyclable and plastics labeled
Level 0 investigation, move to Level 1 in case of Inconclusive
Product randomly chosen if this criterion is claimed by a
Manufacturer with a previous Non-Conformance.

11Total55

113Note: One criterion was changed between the time the Snapshot was taken and the start of the
Verification Round. Therefore another criterion was chosen for investigation for the same
Manufacturer.

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