Orange and WWF France introduce an eco-rating system for fixed and mobile phones

Orange and WWF France have opted to evaluate the environmental performance of products in order to reduce their impact on the environment. The system aims to increase awareness in a fully transparent manner across the industry: among suppliers and operators, as well as for consumers. Customers in particular receive guidance that enables them to take a responsible decision when making their purchases. The eco-rating system developed for Orange telephones is similar to the approach already used in the automobile and domestic electrical appliance sectors and is a first in the telecoms sector.

The widespread application of the eco-rating system will be effective by mid-2009, by which time it will be enriched with analyses and remarks resulting from Orange’s cooperation with WWF France.

The system is deliberately simple, clear and informative. Each product is assessed according to five indicators measuring their impact on the environment over their overall life cycle.

The environmental performance of a product is assessed in relation to the performance of other products in its domain; for example, a mobile phone is compared to another mobile phone.

These indicators complete other technical characteristics already provided by Orange, such as the specific absorption rate (SAR), the maximum level of exposure to radio waves.

• The "CO2 assessment" indicator measures the quantity of greenhouse gas emitted in the main stages of the product’s life-cycle: manufacture, transport, use…
• The "energy efficiency" indicator assesses the consumption of energy when the product is used and the functions that enable consumption to be reduced.
• The "resource preservation" indicator reflects the efforts made to limit the use of non-renewable materials or materials originating from sensitive economic / social environments (such as gold or tantalum) in the composition of the product.
• The "limitation of dangerous substances" indicator measures the level of chemical compounds in the product. Reducing these compounds is important in order to minimize the risk to humans and the environment that can result if the product is disposed of or recycled in poor conditions.
• The "waste reduction" indicator measures the level of waste generated by the terminal and its packaging. It takes into account factors such as the composition, service life, repairability and recyclability of the product.

Orange and WWF France contacted BIO Intelligence Service, a company recognised for its expertise in assessing the environmental performance of products and defining indicators and comparative evaluation systems.

The partnership was set up in March 2008 and is based on concrete actions and measurable results such as recycling, the eco-design of its shops and products, educating consumers and staff in "green behaviour" and reducing the consumption of paper.

Source: Orange