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Consider maximizing energy efficiency of equipment

COMPUTER EQUIPMENT AND ACCESSORIES

Segment    Family    Class

43

21

0

SDG Alignment

7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy

SDG Target

7.3

Target Description

By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency

Level of Effort

Level of Effort Scale

1

1 -Quick Wins: solution involves adding criteria for the good or service being purchased (ex: certifications), minimal internal process changes.

2 -Long Term Adoption: solution requires some changes to internal processes and/or more capital investment (ex: digital transformation to reduce paper use).

3 – Disruptive Opportunities: requires significant investment and changes to internal processes (ex: retrofitting building)

Category Assessment

ETCH Procurement Process .png

Assessment

• Evaluate the scope for investing in more energy-efficient office equipment based on the calculator in the resources section.

• Based on results, purchase more energy-efficient computers and related accessories as end products using the link provided in the references (provides energy performance of listed products).

• Evaluate the benefit and impact of whole equipment lifespan and safety from sourcing other options that fit requirements set out by the engineering team and budget - source product with a longer lifespan and better quality.

Opportunity Identification 

Business:
Cost savings from reimbursable benefits for purchasing equipment that have energy-saving certifications. More energy-efficient products can lead to savings for the end-user while benefiting the environment. The purchase of more energy-efficient equipment or establishing minimum energy efficiency performance standards into procurement policy is the best strategy to achieve this goal.

Sustainability:
Reduced carbon footprint through energy efficiency. Potential for longer product lifespan and refurbishment at end-of-lifecycle.

Strategy Build & Execution

• Align with your engineering team to identify the requirements for end-product use (required application of components for the final product to function) and develop a budget for commercial product needs (volume and budget for purchases)..

• If you do not have a dedicated engineering team, run an RFI or conduct market research and work with suppliers to help identify the requirements for end-product use. Step 1 and 2 can be omitted for companies that can make these decisions without third party recommendation.

• Ask the supplier if they have International Organization for Standardization (ISO) certifications, Restriction of Hazardous Substances (ROHS) certifications, and specifications.

• Get alignment with your engineering team, and other stakeholders/decision-makers to be on board this proposal.

Supplier Negotiation & Contract

• Negotiate with suppliers on value-added components in their service including shipping and handling, installation (product), and recycling.

• Establish Contract Supplier Performance Measures where possible.

• Ask the supplier for visibility into conflict minerals reporting, ISO-14001, ISO 9001, and ROHS compliance. If commercially feasible, consider negotiating the downstream, product end of life recuperation program with the supplier. Depending on the OEM and resellers, they might derive value in receiving technology end of life.

• Include quality assurance and warranty clauses in the contract to ensure an extended higher quality of the product.

• Consider purchasing in bulk to maximize leverage.

• Create a proposal for procedure change on the decision criteria for purchasing which includes
a. Searching databases for energy-efficient alternatives when sourcing (such as Energy Star database),
b. Including minimum energy performance standards in technical RFPs,
c. Requesting suppliers for visibility into their energy-saving certifications, and initiatives to maximize energy efficiency in their manufacturing process.

Supplier Performance & Management

• Record energy consumption from operations on a regular basis. Cost savings should be evident in your utility costs. Maintain records of purchasing and inventory cost, and average inventory level. There should be a decrease in overhead as energy efficient products require less replacements and maintanence often compared to traditional cotton cleaning equipment.

• Integrate annual checks for compliance with quality assurance clauses, reduced toxicity potential (hazardous waste treated), and WEEE directive regulations.

Resource Links

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