IEC TR 62921 Updated – Computer Greenhouse Gas

IEC TR 62921 has just been updated.  Titled “Quantification methodology for greenhouse gas emissions for computers and monitors,” the new Edition 2.0 is available now.  It can be purchased from Document Center Inc. in paper format, for pdf download or for company-wide access.  The revised Edition 2.0 replaces Edition 1.0 from February 2015, which is now obsolete.

IEC TR 62921 is a 56-page technical report to help you streamline the quantification of greenhouse gas emissions from computers and monitors.  These are devices like notebooks, desktops, tablets, workstations and monitors.  It recommends a “state of the art” process and data assumptions to help you reduce uncertainty.  And it gives you an example of how such a calculation can be made.

Who needs to report these kinds of emissions?  Of course, computer and monitor manufacturers and suppliers do.  A number of government agencies also are adopting reporting mechanisms, like France, China, Korea, and so on.  Many retailers and other non-regulatory agencies also have such requirements.

Why use IEC TR 62921 when there are other similar standards?  IEC TR 62921 is tailored specifically for computers and monitors.  This means that there is less variability that with results from other more general standards.  So using this technical report can help you generate estimates in a more rapid and effective manner.  The goal of the committee is to provide you with guidelines for consistent, accurate results.

When will you use greenhouse emissions estimates?  These are usually used to support customer enquiries, during design processes, in working with suppliers and sales outlets, and as part of quality data collection within the supply chain.

What does the IEC TR 62921 cover?  It first addresses issues like principles, approaches and methodologies.  It then reviews category rules for all components and stages for these products.  Some examples are components like PWB’s, IC’s, data storage devices, batteries, plus production, final assembly, and other lifecycle stages.

If you’re using the first edition or need a better method for estimating, you’ll want to get a copy of the new update.  Search for and order all IEC standards at the Document Center webstore at www.document-center.com.  Here is a link to the order page for IEC TR 62921 for your convenience.  If you would like more information, perhaps about our Standards Online cloud access subscription, contact our staff.  We can be reached by phone (650-591-7600) or email (info@document-center.com).   We’ve been working with standards since 1982.  Make us your Standards Experts!