Sustainability Report - Dell

HDPUGDell chaired the High-Density Packaging Users Group (HDPUG)Design for Environment workgroup, which focused on identifyingsuitable alternative technologies to reduce and/or eliminatethe use of certain environmentally sensitive materials. During2005, the HDPUG DfE team initiated the third phase of a projectto evaluate the performance, availability and environmentalattributes of technologies such as mercury-free displays andnon-PVC-based cables. The team published results of this studyin late 2005.EPEATDuring 2005, Dell supported the Federal Electronics Challenge(FEC) Initiative by participating in the completion of the developmentof the Electronic Products Environmental AssessmentTool (EPEAT). EPEAT is an environmental procurement tooldesigned to help institutional purchasers in the public and privatesectors evaluate, compare and select desktop computers,notebooks and monitors based on their environmental attributes.This tool was developed through a year-long effort thatincluded representatives from the IT industry, the EPA, federaland state purchasers, recyclers, and nongovernmental environmentalorganizations.Currently, Dell is assisting with the implementation of EPEATwith the U.S. Green Electronics Council (USGEC) and the finalizationof the criteria through the International Symposium onElectronics and the Environment (IEEE). Dell will also serve onthe advisory board of the USGEC to assist in the transition fromimplementation to use.AeA/USITOWorking through the American Electronics Association (AeA)and the United States Information Technology Office (USITO),Dell is assisting China's Ministry of Information Industry (MII)to develop an effective version of the RoHS Directive and relatedstandards for China known as the Management Methods onthe Prevention and Control of Pollution Caused by ElectronicInformation Products. Since October 2004, Dell has participatedin MII working groups focusing on the development of Labelingand Test standards. In 2006, our work will focus on certificationissues and the development of the Product Catalogue, whichwill identify covered products.ECFICDell participates in the Executive Committee of ForeignInvestment Companies (ECFIC) Recycling Working Group tosupport the China National Development Reform Commission(SDRC) efforts to develop a Waste from Electrical andElectronic Equipment (WEEE) roadmap for China recycling.Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)GRI is a multi-stakeholder process and independent institutionwhose mission is to develop and disseminate the globallyapplicable Sustainability Reporting Guidelines. TheGuidelines are for voluntary use by organizations for reportingon the economic, environmental, and social dimensions of theiractivities, products, and services. The GRI incorporates theactive participation of representatives from business, accountancy,investment, environmental, human rights, research andlabor organizations from around the world. Started in 1997, GRIbecame independent in 2002, and is an official collaboratingcenter of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)and works in cooperation with United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan's Global Compact.In 2005, Dell participated in the Indicators Working Group'seffort to enhance the environmental protocols as part ofupgrading the GRI Sustainability Reporting Guidelines. The aimis to innovate the third generation G3 Guidelines scheduled toappear in mid-2006. An overarching objective of the IndicatorsWork Stream is to recommend changes that will ensure clarification,enhancement, and comparability of the new GRIGuidelines. Additional information on the GRI can be found atwww.globalreporting.org/index.asp.D E L L S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y R E P O R T • F I S C A L Y E A R 2 0 0 643