Lenovo Laptop First to Obtain UL Environment Gold Certification

UL Environment, a business unit of UL, recently announced that it has issued its first-ever Gold level Sustainable Product Certification (SPC) for the laptop category to the Lenovo ThinkPad T420 laptop, scheduled to be launched later this year. The UL Environmental SPC Gold certification indicates a product has met the most stringent and prestigious of three levels of compliance in the industry-wide sustainability standard for laptops, IEEE 1680.1.

UL Environment tested the ThinkPad T420 to IEEE 1680.1 criteria including reduction or elimination of environmentally sensitive materials in product and packaging, energy conservation, end-of-life management and corporate environmental practices.  During the testing process, UL Environment assessed product documentation and records, physically examined product samples, independently tested the product for compliance to ENERGY STAR® 5.0 requirements and conducted onsite audits of manufacturing facilities.

UL's trusted independent testing and certification program helps companies differentiate their products based on tested and validated environmental performance. Lenovo's decision to enroll in third party certification to environmental standards not only encourages customer peace of mind, but it demonstrates leadership in raising the sustainability bar for their industry peers.

While the market for more environmentally-friendly products is growing in general, laptops specifically are experiencing growth in this area due to consumer preference, energy regulations and corporate sustainability practices.

If you're interested in learning more about UL Environment's Gold certification, or about the Lenovo T420 laptop, visit the Lenovo YouTube page to view a video including aspects of the testing process and interviews with Rob Taylor, director of environmental affairs for Lenovo and Chris Nelson, director of global commercial development for UL Environment.

For more information on UL Environment and the organization's product safety testing and certification, please e-mail Ellen Struck or visit http://www.ulenvironment.com/.