Lenovo ESG
Materials Management
Our Approach
Our priority is to use environmentally preferable materials whenever we can. In adhering to this precautionary approach, Lenovo supports restricting the intentional addition of materials that are potentially concerning when economically and technically viable alternatives exist. These restrictions may also include implementing concentration limits for incidental occurrences.
We require or support the following:
- Prohibiting the use of ozone-depleting substances in all applications
- Restricting the use of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) under the Stockholm Convention
- Eliminating those materials covered under European Union (EU) Restriction on Hazardous Substances (RoHS) and Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) requirements
- Phasing out halogenated materials, including brominated flame-retardants (BFRs) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC)
- Maintaining a full material disclosure (FMD) system for our products, listing information on the materials and substances for components as provided by our suppliers.
What's more, we expect all our partners and suppliers to demonstrate the same commitment to environmentally sound practices.
Environmentally Conscious
Wherever possible, Lenovo looks to use environmentally preferable materials that meet our strict technological, quality, environmental, and health and safety requirements. Where economically viable alternatives do not exist, we monitor usage above the defined concentration limits. This data can then be reported to customers and other stakeholders.
Lenovo supports the phasing out of brominated flame retardants (BFRs), chlorinated flame retardants (CFRs) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). BFRs are mainly used in power cords, cables, AC adapters, planar assemblies, subcards, connectors, and some modular parts, while PVC is primarily used in power cords and cables.
We also support the definition of “Low Halogen” as set by the International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative (iNEMI), the not-for-profit R&D consortium of leading electronics manufacturers, suppliers, associations, government agencies, and universities.
In addition, we are committed to driving our supply chain to taking a similar approach, while striving to eliminate halogen from our products.
Our achievements include:
- Phasing out completely the use of BFR/CFR/PVC in all mechanical plastic parts (such as external covers, housings, etc.) across all products.
- Most hard disk drives, optical disk drives, solid-state drives, LCD screens, memory, CPUs, chipsets, and communication cards; and other commodities with offerings meet the iNEMI definition of low halogen.
- All ThinkPad notebooks including PCBs meet the iNEMI definition of low halogen except for cables and wires, AC adapter.
- All commercial monitors meet the iNEMI definition of low halogen except for their PCB assembly and cables. Furthermore, some monitors fully meet the low halogen definition of iNEMI.
- All smart phone products are free of BFR and PVC.
- Prohibiting the intentional addition of the following pollutants to any of its parts:
- Polybrominated Biphenyls (PBBs)
- Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs)
- Deca-Brominated Diphenyl Ethers
In addition, we plan to use additional BFR-, CFR-, and PVC-free parts and materials across our family of products as acceptable alternative materials become available, working towards the goal to eventually phase out the use of these materials. Meanwhile, we continue to work with our suppliers to pilot new BFR-, and PVC-free applications.
We have also identified a list of materials and substances of environmental interest. These substances may be candidates for further restrictions in the future. As such, we hold our suppliers accountable for reporting the use of these materials through the declarations they must make to us.
Understanding our Products
Consistent with its precautionary approach, Lenovo continuously analyzes the IT regulatory landscape and considers input from its customers, NGOs, and other industry resources in the assessment of chemical and materials restrictions with respect to the potential health and environmental impacts of its products. These assessments are facilitated via the use of Supplier Full Material Disclosures or other acceptable forms of chemical/materials disclosures; i.e., IEC 62474 declarations, laboratory test reports, or supplier self-declarations. Lenovo utilizes this information to identify and highlight current and emerging restrictions for tracking and management purposes as well as for current and future reporting requirements.
We inform our customers about the environmental attributes of our products, as well as compliance with applicable laws and regulations. This information is contained on industry-standard ECO Declaration forms, which you can view here, along with our Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) information sheets.