ECS spearheads PC environmental protection plan

Taiwanese computer and components manufacturer Elitegroup Computer Systems (ECS) has launched a scheme to implement environmentally friendly product designs and manufacturing processes.

The company, best known for its motherboards and barebone computer systems, is setting up the "ECS Green Competitive Advantage and Quality Plan", which establishes four "non-toxic" control processes. These include non-toxic suppliers, raw materials, manufacturing and products.

ECS will obtain IECQ QC080000 certification in November, as well as three other EU-wide environmental regulations that include Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE), RoHS Compliance, and the eco-design requirements for Energy-Using Products (EuP).

Following global environmental regulations for prohibiting harmful materials and waste recycling requirements, all major computer and component suppliers in Taiwan have improved raw materials, manufacturing processes and workflows.

ECS said it initiated the scheme to "minimise the impact EU-wide environmental regulations have on business, and turn these restrictions into new business opportunities".

"The Green Competitive Advantage and Quality Plan starts from the early engineering and product design stages, includes non-toxic materials, eco-designs, and easier disassembly and recycling.

"RoHS compliance applies to non-toxic components; WEEE applies to disassembly and recycling. Also, to create energy saving products and low-power consumption designs, life cycle management and eco-profiles are evaluated as well," the company said in a statement.