Addition of sustainability in e-catalogs brings clarity to purchasers

For purchasers, navigating product models, their functions and sustainability aspects can be tricky. Vendors often offer electronics catalogs, mainly with a focus on technical parameters. Increasingly, several such listings now also include information on whether these products are certified according to existing eco-labeling schemes or sustainability certifications.

As the leading sustainability certification for IT products, we have been approached by several platforms that want to make it easier to find more sustainable IT products that also meet their technical needs.

These include, but are not limited to:

• AB Group is a major IT distributor in central and eastern Europe. They include a product filter for TCO Certified in their webshop and offer spare parts, extended warranties and repairs to promote circularity.
• 1WorldSync aggregates information about IT products from multiple sources into consistent content. The platform has integrated TCO Certified within its DataSource service. Retailers which use DataSource can request data on the products in their store, including whether they are certified in accordance with TCO Certified.
• Ecomedes is another data aggregator with a platform in the US – Fulcrum. The platform provides a list of products that are approved for public procurement (under the US General Services Administration). Buyers can search by TCO Certified and get a list of available certified products.
• Markit has introduced so-called ‘eco-filters’. Using these, you can search not only for local suppliers (GHG emissions reduction) but also for products certified according to the criteria in TCO Certified.
• ATEA is another reseller that offers a sustainable purchasing guide that explains the benefits of using TCO Certified in procurement. Customers can select TCO Certified as a default option and search for certified models in the e-shop.

Informed product choices help IT purchasers to effectively meet their sustainability targets for both environmental and supply chain responsibility. Via our Product Finder, purchasers have access to measurable sustainability performance data for certified products: percentage of post-consumer recycled plastic content, energy consumption and product weight. Functionality also includes a feature for calculating use phase CO2 emissions and energy costs. This data can be used in your organization’s sustainability reporting.

With the subscription function in Product Finder, organizations can be at the frontline of sustainable procurement, staying up to date with the latest certified models.