For example, energy consumption data, the most researched and catalogued by manufacturers, was received by only a third of respondents. Over half of those requesting energy information did not receive it. It was matched by a low proportion of buyers specifying environmental standards, although there was an active minority. There was an indication that local authorities were more active on computer environmental standards than the private sector. The survey confirmed that health and safety and other labour standards applying in factories making components and machines were off the horizon for nearly all buying organisations.
Directives become firmer, opening up competitive opportunities.