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The Federal Electronics Challenge

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Participating as an FEC Partner

Partner Resources

Electronics Management Practices

The Federal Electronics Challenge

What is the Challenge?

The Federal Electronics Challenge (FEC) is a partnership program that encourages federal facilities and agencies to:

  • Purchase greener electronic products.
  • Reduce impacts of electronic products during use.
  • Manage obsolete electronics in an environmentally safe way.

Federal agencies and facilities participate as "Partners" in the program. The FEC provides Agency and Facility Partners with resources and technical assistance for improving electronics management practices, and gives annual recognition to Facility Partners that have achieved specific goals.

The Federal Electronics Challenge is managed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Office of Federal Environmental Executive. The Federal Electronics Stewardship Working Group acts as an advisory board for the FEC.

Which products does the FEC target?

The FEC primarily targets common office electronic equipment such as desktop and laptop/portable computers, computer monitors, computer peripherals, televisions, printers, fax and copy machines, and mobile phones.

The FEC national program goals focus on computer desktops, laptops, and monitors. The FEC award activities should be implemented for at least desktops, laptops, and monitors, if the type of equipment is not specified in the award requirement.

Why focus on electronics?

The purchasing, use and disposition of electronics, such as computers, printers, and mobile phones, has significant environmental impacts. Electronic equipment may contain toxic constituents, consume significant energy during use, and present complex challenges when disposed of. These characteristics present opportunities and responsibilities in managing electronic products to reduce the environmental impacts associated with each phase of the electronics life cycle-acquisition and procurement, operation and maintenance, and end-of-life management.

Why should the Federal government get involved?

The federal government, which purchases billions of dollars* worth of information technology equipment and services annually, has the opportunity to provide leadership in the environmentally sound and cost effective management of electronic assets throughout their life-cycle. Executive Order (E.O.) 13514 sets goals for the federal government to improve our environmental, energy and economic performance, in part through specific electronics stewardship activities. Purchasing or leasing new equipment provides the opportunity to obtain environmentally preferable electronics. Appropriate management of equipment during use can reduce energy use and extend the life of electronics. Disposition of electronics provides the opportunity for reuse or environmentally responsible recycling. The FEC assists federal agencies and facilities in meeting the goals of E.O. 13514 and facing the challenges posed by electronics acquisition, use and disposal.

*Source: U.S. Office of Management and Budget.

What are the program goals of the FEC?

The national program goals of the FEC are as follows:

  • By 2010, 95% of eligible electronic equipment purchased or leased annually by FEC Partners is EPEAT-registered (PDF, 77 KB).
  • By 2010, 100% of eligible computers and monitors in operation at FEC Partner facilities have ENERGY STAR® features (PDF, 44 KB) enabled.
  • By 2010, electronic equipment in operation at FEC Partner facilities have an average life span of at least four years.
  • By 2010, 100% percent of non-reusable electronic equipment disposed of annually by FEC Partner facilities is recycled using environmentally sound management, as defined by the Responsible Recycling (R2) Practices.

These FEC national program goals align with the federal government's electronic stewardship goals, as defined in Executive Order 13514, "Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance."

What are the FEC program accomplishments?

The FEC has developed summaries of annual program accomplishments which include qualitative assessments of program activities and quantitative summaries of program accomplishments:

Specific partner accomplishments are highlighted in a series of case studies.

What is Executive Order 13514?

Executive Order (E.O.) 13514, "Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance," was signed by President Obama on October 5, 2009. The E.O. sets sustainability goals for the federal government in a number of areas, including electronics stewardship.

What is Executive Order 13423?

Executive Order (E.O.) 13423, "Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management," was signed by former President Bush on January 24, 2007. E.O. 13423 consolidates and strengthens five executive orders and two memorandums of understanding related to environmental, energy, and transportation performance and accountability.

Executive Order 13423 was not revoked by Executive Order 13514, and remains in effect per H.R. 1105 FY 2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act.

What is the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Environmental Stewardship Scorecard?

On January 25, 2006, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) introduced the Executive Management Scorecards for Environment, Energy and Transportation. The Environmental Stewardship Scorecard covers five areas, including federal electronic stewardship. The Scorecard employs a stoplight scoring system to track the progress and status of agencies in implementing statutory and Executive Order requirements in each area.

What is the Electronics Stewardship Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)?

On November 15, 2004, the Executive Office of the President, together with eleven federal departments and agencies, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) (PDF, 132 KB) to develop and promote common strategies for federal electronics stewardship.

The requirements of E.O. 13423 and 13514 incorporated the goals and objectives of the Electronics Stewardship MOU. The Electronics Stewardship MOU is no longer in effect.

What is the Federal Electronics Stewardship Working Group (FESWG)?

The Federal Electronics Stewardship Working Group (FESWG) provides a forum for information exchange and coordinates interagency efforts to promote the electronics stewardship goals of E.O. 13514. The FESWG helps to develop policies, guidance, reporting metrics, and other documents and tools required by E.O. 13514. The FESWG also acts as an advisory board for the FEC. The FESWG, currently chaired by the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive, meets once a month.

How does the Electronics Reuse and Recycling Campaign (ERRC) relate to FEC?

The goals of the Electronics Reuse and Recycling Campaign (ERRC) are to demonstrate the federal government's commitment to electronics stewardship at end-of-life; to address problems associated with electronics recycling in the federal sector; and to recognize agency efforts to reuse and recycle excess or surplus electronics.

The ERRC is on hold for 2010 until the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive and the Environmental Protection Agency finalize a new Electronics Stewardship Program concept.

What was the "pilot phase" of the FEC?

During 2003, five federal organizations joined together to develop and pilot test an incentive program to encourage federal departments and facilities to purchase greener electronic products, reduce impacts of electronic products during use, and manage obsolete electronics in an environmentally safe way. In addition, these federal organizations sought to provide partners with the tools and resources they would need to successfully achieve these goals. These organizations: the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive; the Department of Defense; the Federal Network for Sustainability; the General Services Administration; and the Environmental Protection Agency, formed a steering committee to guide this effort - which became the FEC pilot phase.

The FEC Pilot Phase Steering Committee recruited partners from different agencies in different areas of the country to pilot test the FEC approach to better manage their electronics. Nine partners accepted the challenge. During the pilot phase, the FEC Pilot Phase Steering Committee also asked nonprofit, industry, and academic stakeholders involved in the manufacturing, purchasing, and recycling of electronics to assist in developing necessary tools and information for partners.

The pilot phase ended with the national rollout of the program on October 21, 2004 at a White House Summit. For more information about the pilot phase, please see the Pilot Phase Summary (PDF, 41 KB).

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Participating as an FEC Partner

Who can become an Agency or Facility Partner?

Any federal agency or facility can participate in the FEC as a partner:

  • Agency Partners may be any executive agency, as defined in section 105 of title 5, United States Code, excluding the Government Accountability Office.
  • Facility Partners may be any subcomponent of a federal agency, including but not limited to bureaus, administrations, departments, offices, facilities, laboratories, divisions, field or regional offices.

The FEC provides guidance to help organizations determine their participation (PDF, 39 KB).

The FEC is committed to helping federal Partners improve their electronics stewardship, regardless of their size, location or current electronics management practices.

Which federal agencies are Agency Partners or have participating Facility Partners?

In addition to the Executive Office of the President, the following federal agencies are Agency Partners:

  • Department of Agriculture
  • Department of Commerce
  • Department of Defense
  • Department of Education
  • Department of Energy
  • Department of Health and Human Services
  • Department of Homeland Security
  • Department of the Interior
  • Department of Justice
  • Department of Labor
  • Department of Transportation
  • Department of the Treasury
  • Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Environmental Protection Agency
  • General Services Administration
  • Office of Personnel Management
  • Social Security Administration
  • United States Postal Service

The following federal agencies are not Agency Partners, but have participating Facility Partners:

  • Department of State
  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration

What are the benefits of becoming an Agency or Facility Partner?

Partners receive a variety of benefits as they participate in the FEC, including:

  • Resources for developing, implementing, and improving an electronics stewardship program.
  • Educational training and feedback through monthly partner calls and an annual conference.
  • Technical assistance through individual support.
  • Networking opportunities and knowledge-sharing.
  • Cost savings through resource efficiency, energy savings, and equipment maintenance practices.
  • National recognition from the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive.

How do I become an Agency or Facility Partner?

Federal Agencies should contact Cate Berard (berard.cate@epa.gov, 202-564-8847) to register as an Agency Partner.

In order to become a Facility Partner, all you have to do is Register! Registration can be completed online.

What do I have to do as an Agency or Facility Partner?

Agency Partners progress through a series of simple steps to participate in the FEC.

  1. Register as an Agency Partner.
  2. Within eight weeks of registering, identify your Facility Partner List. This List specifies which subcomponents within your agency can be FEC Facility Partners.
  3. Design, implement and refine your electronics management program.

Facility Partners also progress through a series of simple steps to participate in the FEC. These steps are also available in a flowchart format (PDF, 65 KB).

  1. Register as a Facility Partner. Registration can be completed online!
  2. Identify your baseline by completing the Baseline Survey of Current Practices (PDF, 217 KB). Determining a baseline helps Facility Partners identify areas of improvement in their electronics management and serves as a reference point for gauging annual progress.
  3. Design, implement and refine your electronics management program. FEC provides a variety of resources to assist you.
  4. Report annual progress.
  5. Apply for annual recognition.

The FEC encourages continual improvement by asking Facility Partners to complete steps 3 and 4 each year. Applying for an annual award (step 5) is optional, but highly encouraged.

How does the FEC determine the progress of each Facility Partner?

After registering, each Facility Partner identifies their baseline by completing the Baseline Survey of Current Practices (217 KB). This baseline serves as an internal reference point for gauging annual progress.

Facility Partners report their progress to FEC each year. This reporting process evaluates the annual progress each Facility Partner makes in reaching the program goals of the FEC. The FEC uses the data from the submitted Annual Reporting Forms, and other sources, to develop an annual summary of program accomplishments (PDF, 109 KB). This summary includes qualitative assessment of program activities and a quantitative summary of program accomplishments.

How do Facility Partners achieve annual recognition?

Partners may apply for and receive annual recognition at one of four levels - Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze. The application process is simple:

  1. Complete the necessary Mandatory Activities, Optional Activities and Mentoring Activities for the desired award level, during fiscal year 2010.
  2. Ensure that your facility submitted its Baseline Survey after joining the FEC.
  3. Submit the FY2010 Annual Reporting Form.
  4. Submit the 2011 Award Application. Award applications will be accepted via an online application. More information on application submission will be available in late 2010.

Award applications for the 2011 Federal Electronics Challenge Awards are due January 31, 2011, and should reference activities completed between October 1, 2009 and September 30, 2010. There will be no extensions to the award application due date.

Recognizing that compliance with environmental regulatory requirements is a fundamental responsibility of Federal agencies and Federal employees at all levels, each applying facility will be subject to a review of background information on their environmental regulatory compliance status and enforcement history. This process will include consideration of information in the Environmental Protection Agency's Online Tracking Information System (OTIS), which is available online at: http://www.epa-otis.gov/otis/ as well as other available compliance and enforcement information. In general, chronic non-compliance in any environmental media and/or recent or ongoing criminal or certain civil enforcement activity will be considered a basis for disqualification.

Applying facilities should review their compliance status and history prior to submitting their application online. Registrants that do not concur with their facility information in OTIS should provide information for consideration during the compliance screen stating why they believe the OTIS data is incorrect or not applicable to the facility. This information may be uploaded as part of the supporting documentation.

Will our activity count as mandatory/optional activity X?

If you are uncertain as to whether or not an activity your organization has completed or will complete can count for a particular mandatory or optional award activity, please send an email to partner@electronicschallenge.net as soon as possible. There will be no extensions granted for award applications, so be sure you understand the requirements!

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Partner Resources

What is Member Services?

The FEC has a secure online system for Facility Partners to submit baseline surveys, annual reports and annual award applications. Each FEC Agency and Facility Partner receives a username and password for the Member Services web page. The Member Services page also contains a limited amount of Partner-only content.

What is the RSS feed?

The RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feed is used to provide up-to-date news and information briefs to our partners and other interested parties. Subscribe Now! RSS

The feed is also listed on the FEC home page. Clicking on the listed feed links will take you directly to more information on the topic. To view the more detailed feed entries and subscribe to the feed, click on the orange feed icon to the right of the "What's New" text. When you subscribe to the RSS feed, you may select the feed reader you would like to use.

What is the listserve?

The FEC maintains a listserve for all Partners, which it uses to distribute more detailed information on the latest news on electronics management as well as information about upcoming FEC events and teleconferences. The listserve also facilitates information exchange between Partners, as the unmoderated format allows participants to pose and respond to questions.

What are partner calls?

The FEC hosts monthly webinars/teleconferences that offer an opportunity for all Partners to hear from experts, network, and learn from one another. Typically, participants follow the presentation using webinar technology. Participants unable to utilize the webinar software can download a presentation from the FEC web site before or during the call. During the call, one or more speakers delivers the presentation, and then attendees have an opportunity to comment and ask questions.

Please see the Partner Calls web page for the schedule of upcoming webinars/teleconferences, presentation topics, and information on attending.

Does the FEC host any conferences on federal electronics stewardship?

The FEC encourages all of its partners to attend the 2010 GreenGov Symposium, October 5-7, 2010 in Washington D.C. The FEC is leading the development of the electronics stewardship and data center track for this event. More information is available on the FEC Conferences Web page.

Proceedings from past conferences are available:

What is an FEC Champion and how do I contact one?

FEC Champions are representatives from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) who are available to assist regional federal facilities with their electronics management programs. Champions are selected based on geographic representation, with one or more Champions representing each EPA Region. Champions help federal facilities to:

Champions are also available to speak about improving the electronics lifecycle, and the FEC, with interested federal agencies and Partners at their facilities, at meetings, or at conferences throughout the region.

Where can I find FEC presentation files (from a partner call, the annual conference or other forum)?

The presentation files for upcoming partner calls are available on the Partner Calls web page in Microsoft PowerPoint and Adobe Acrobat format. The presentation files for past conferences are available on the conference proceedings Web pages, in Microsoft PowerPoint and Adobe Acrobat format.

The FEC also maintains an archive of presentations, organized by topic. These presentations are available in Microsoft PowerPoint and Adobe Acrobat format.

How can I determine the environmental benefits of being an Agency or Facility Partner and improving electronics management?

The Electronics Environmental Benefits Calculator (EEBC) was developed to assist organizations in estimating the environmental benefits of greening their purchase, use and disposal of electronics.

  • The EEBC is available to any organization interested in determining the benefits of their own electronics stewardship activities. It is a valuable tool for FEC Partners to calculate the environmental benefits of their FEC activities.
  • The EEBC estimates the environmental and economic benefits of purchasing Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT)-registered products and improving equipment operation and end-of-life management practices.
  • The current version of the EEBC can evaluate electronics stewardship activities associated with desktop processors (CPUs), cathode ray tube (CRT) and liquid crystal display (LCD) monitors, and notebook computers. Additionally, the EEBC can evaluate the benefits of reusing and recycling mobile telephones, and recycling mixed loads of electronics.

Where can I find other information on the Internet about electronics management?

The FEC encourages responsible electronics life-cycle management and recognizes the importance of other web-based resources. The FEC provides a list of external hyperlinks which provides direct access to web sites that FEC believes may be of use to its Partners.

Where can I get news updates for the FEC?

The FEC has a RSS (Really Simple Syndication) feed to provide up-to-date news and information briefs to our partners and other interested parties. Subscribe Now! RSS

The feed is also listed on the FEC home page. Clicking on the listed feed links will take you directly to more information on the topic. To view the more detailed feed entries and subscribe to the feed, click on the orange feed icon to the right of the "What's New" text. When you subscribe to the RSS feed, you may select the feed reader you would like to use.

The FEC also uses the listserve to distribute more detailed information on electronics management as well as information about upcoming FEC events and teleconferences. If your agency or facility is an FEC Partner, you may subscribe to the Listserve, by emailing your request to partner@electronicschallenge.net.

The FEC also posts information and hyperlinks related to upcoming and past events and conferences that may be of interest to FEC Partners.

What is mentoring?

"Mentoring" is providing direct support to a federal facility or agency to assist them in implementing more sustainable electronics management strategies, and is a required activity for Platinum and Gold Level Award applicants. Mentoring can be provided to any federal facility, including those within your own agency. Also, it is not necessary for mentees to be FEC Partners. The level and depth of support are determined jointly by the mentor and mentee.

Examples of mentoring activities include: meeting with individual facility representatives to answer questions related to the electronics lifecycle or FEC participation; providing support in completing FEC documentation, such as the baseline survey or annual reporting form; or working with an individual facility to implement FEC goals, such as developing acquisition language, authoring a power management policy, or selecting an electronics recycler. FEC Champions that provide assistance or support to a federal agency or facility may also count these activities as mentoring activities.

FEC partners can fulfill one of their mentoring requirement by providing indirect mentoring through one of the following activities: present on one of the FEC Partner Calls; submit a new electronics stewardship case study to the FEC; or submit a new electronics stewardship resource to the FEC.

For more details on mentoring requirements, please see Answers to Frequent Questions: Mentoring (PDF, 44 KB).

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Electronics Management Practices

How does the FEC develop best management practices?

Working directly with federal procurement officials, property managers, and information technology staff, the FEC develops and revises resources for all Partners. These resources include case studies, information on incorporating green specifications into contract language, and options on finding an environmentally responsible outlet for surplus and excess computer equipment.

If you can not find a specific resource on the FEC web site and would like to request that the FEC develop it, please email partner@electronicschallenge.net.

What are the federal regulations and executive orders that pertain to federally-owned electronic equipment?

The FEC provides a list of federal regulations (PDF, 64 KB) and executive orders relevant to FEC Partners and electronics life-cycle management.

How does FEC relate to our Environmental Management System (EMS)?

The goal of an EMS is for an organization to achieve and demonstrate sound environmental performance by addressing the impact of their activities on the environment. The overall FEC program goal for all Partners is to reduce life-cycle environmental impacts of electronic products. An EMS provides the structure and framework to achieve that FEC goal. The FEC and associated resources and guidance help federal facilities achieve environmental improvements from better management of electronic equipment throughout its life cycle at the facility.

The FEC provides a number of resources addressing the connections between the FEC and EMSs.

I have completed the Baseline Survey, now what?

Design, implement and refine your electronics management program and work towards achieving the E.O. 13514 electronics stewardship goals! Managing each phase of the electronics life-cycle in an environmentally preferable manner requires the proper resources. FEC provides personal technical assistance, as well as an extensive library of documents and tools.

As a Facility Partner, your facility may also work towards and apply for an annual award, and receive recognition from the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive.

What is the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) and how does it relate to the FEC?

The Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) is an easy-to-use evaluation tool that allows the comparison and selection of electronic products based on environmental attributes, in addition to cost and performance considerations. EPEAT-registered products meet minimum performance standards in areas such as energy efficiency, toxicity reduction and material selection. EPEAT standards are currently available for computer desktops, monitors and notebook computers.

EPEAT is the required method of product environmental assessment for desktop computers, laptops and monitors for FEC Partners and federal agencies, and helps Facility Partners meet the green procurement requirements of Executive Order 13514, the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), and the FEC annual recognition process.

An overview of EPEAT (PDF, 77 KB) is available for FEC Partners. More detailed information is available at the EPEAT web site.

How do I find/procure green electronics not registered by EPEAT?

EPEAT is currently limited to desktop computers, laptops and monitors. FEC provides the following resources to assist Partners in performing similar product environmental assessment for other electronics, such as printers and copiers:

What activities are included in electronics "operations and maintenance?"

Operation and maintenance activities (PDF, 136 KB) encompass a variety of electronics issues, including: energy conservation and efficiency; printing and copying; and extending product life. Improving operation and maintenance of electronics serves many functions, including:

  • Reducing energy consumption;
  • Reducing resource use;
  • Increasing recycling rates;
  • Keeping viable equipment out of the waste stream;
  • Reducing demand for new electronic products; and
  • Maximizing product life and lifecycle environmental and cost benefits.

What is ENERGY STAR® and how does it relate to the FEC?

ENERGY STAR is a government-backed program devoted to helping businesses and individuals protect the environment through superior energy efficiency. ENERGY STAR provides federal agencies and other partners a proven energy management strategy to save energy and money while demonstrating environmental leadership.

A summary of ENERGY STAR (PDF, 78 KB) is available for FEC Partners. More detailed information is available at the ENERGY STAR web site for federal agencies.

What are the General Services Administration (GSA) procedures for electronics end-of-life management?

In brief, GSA guidance and federal regulation require the following management procedures for electronics end-of-life management:

  1. Reuse internally
  2. Donate to Computers for Learning
  3. Report to GSA
  4. Transfer to other federal agencies through the utilization process
  5. Donate to States or eligible non-profit organizations
  6. Sell
  7. Abandon/Destroy/Recycle

FEC and GSA have also developed an overview of the GSA process (PDF, 89 KB) for FEC Partners.

What can/should my facility do if we want our old electronics to be reused?

Federal regulations mandate that federal property, including electronics, be utilized to the fullest extent practicable when it is no longer needed by a federal agency. Federal agencies should attempt to reuse, refurbish or donate working electronics.

The FEC provides an overview of reuse options (PDF, 74 KB) for FEC Partners, including information about internal refurbishment; donating to the Computers for Learning programs; reusing equipment within the federal community; or utilizing DRMS (required for Defense agencies).

What can/should my facility do if we want our old electronics to be recycled?

Federal regulations mandate that federal property, including electronics, be utilized to the fullest extent practicable when it is no longer needed by a federal agency. Federal agencies should attempt to reuse, refurbish or donate working electronics prior to considering recycling.

If a federal agency has followed the GSA process (PDF, 89 KB) and has electronic equipment that is certified for abandonment, environmentally responsible recycling is the appropriate next step. The FEC provides an overview of recycling (PDF, 142 KB) options for FEC Partners, including information about contracting with UNICOR; utilizing DRMS (required for Defense agencies); or selecting an environmentally responsible electronics recycler.

How do I ensure environmentally sound recycling?

Federal agencies are encouraged to use UNICOR or a recycler that is certified to the Responsible Recycling (R2) Practices, to ensure environmentally sound recycling.

If your facility opts to use another electronics recycling service, the FEC provides resources to help you ensure that the electronics recycler you select is conducting business in an environmentally responsible manner:

How can I ensure data security of electronics storage devices we are disposing of?

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recommends the following steps for ensuring data security:

  1. Identify your media and know your information
  2. Decide on a sanitization method
  3. Find supportive tools
  4. Validate your tools/policies/procedures
  5. Share your findings

The complete NIST's Guidelines for Media Sanitization (See "SP 800-88") are available online.

Do you have examples of how other Agency and Facility Partners participate in the FEC?

The FEC provides a series of case studies which briefly describe the activities of select Partners.

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