TCO Certified, a third party sustainability labeler for IT products, on Monday launched TCO Certified Tablets, a certification for tablet PCs that demonstrate minimal use of hazardous materials, energy efficiency and design for recycling. At the same time, the company announced that the Samsung SLATE PC Series 7 is the first tablet to meet the label's criteria.
The California Department of Toxic Substances Control on Monday released draft regulations aimed at removing toxic chemicals in everyday consumer products. The proposed rules, called for in California's Green Chemistry Initiative, among other things, would require manufacturers to identify toxic ingredients during the design phase and analyze alternatives to that ingredient.
DNV, a risk management firm, announced that it has issued the world’s first certificate of fitness for carbon dioxide storage development plans that will be suitable to Shell’s Quest carbon capture and storage project. The proposed Quest project, if successful, could capture and store underground more than one million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year near Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta.
Build It Green, a residential green building consultant, on Monday announced that 10,000 homes in California will receive the GreenPoint Rated green construction label by the end of the year. The company said the GreenPoint Rated label is "like a report card," rating homes on energy efficiency, resource conservation, indoor air quality, water conservation and community benefits.
The European Commission has commissioned a study to assess the impact of scope changes to the RoHS directive, Chemical Watch reported. The study, carried out by the consultant firm Bio Intelligence Service, will also address the need for further scope amendments.
San Francisco's iconic Transamerica Pyramid announced that it has been awarded LEED-EB platinum status. The building had achieved LEED-EB Gold status in 2009.
The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries announced the release of updated specifications for plastics buying and selling. The institute said the specifications will give buyers and sellers that handle plastic scrap a set of common terms and definitions.
Certification Europe announced that it has become the first body in the United Kingdom and Ireland to receive accreditation to issue ISO:50001 certifications. Certification Europe has offices in the UK, Ireland, Italy, Turkey and Japan.