PORTLAND, Ore., January 10, 2023 /CSRwire/ - The Board of Directors of the Global Electronics Council (GEC), a non-profit dedicated to promoting sustainable electronics and managing its EPEAT ecolabel, today announced the appointment of Bob Mitchell as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Bob succeeds Carl Smith who has served as Acting CEO since early last year. Bob comes from the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) where he has served as Vice President, Human Rights and Environment since 2016. He has previous experience with Hewlett-Packard (HP) and Hewlett Packard Enterprises (HPE).

“As GEC seeks to grow its mission by increasing its global footprint and the type of product it covers, we are incredibly excited about Bob’s appointment as CEO,” said Trisa Thompson, Chair of GEC’s Board of Directors and retired Dell executive. “Not only is Bob very experienced in a range of environmental, circularity and human rights issues, he has had extensive experience working for a major technology company.”

GEC’s EPEAT ecolabel is a requirement for acquisition of electronics for numerous institutions both in the US and around the world. This experience and expertise has been expanded to include a host of related activities including training purchasers and advising companies. Among some of Bob’s initial priorities will be to launch expanded criteria for its EPEAT ecolabel and, working with the Board of Directors, to identify future growth opportunities to accelerate the reach of the organization.

“The mission of GEC is more important than ever, as technology becomes increasingly pervasive,” said Ms. Thompson. “With Bob leading the organization, working closely with the Board and a range of stakeholders, we’re confident that we can put the pieces in place to have a true impact on the future of sustainable electronics.”

The GEC Board of Directors extends its gratitude to Carl Smith for his interim service as CEO.

About the Global Electronics Council

The Global Electronics Council (GEC) is a mission-driven nonprofit that leverages the power of purchasers to create a world where only sustainable technology is bought and sold. GEC manages the EPEAT ecolabel, a free resource for procurement professionals to identify and select more sustainable products. In addition, the EPEAT ecolabel is a resource for manufacturers to demonstrate that their products conform to the highest sustainability standards. Since its launch in 2006, procurement professionals have reported purchases of 1.5 billion EPEAT products, generating cost savings of $13.1 billion USD and a reduction of 220 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.

Global Electronics Council

Global Electronics Council

The Global Electronics Council™ (GEC) is a mission-driven nonprofit that leverages the power of purchasers to create a world where only sustainable technology is bought and sold. GEC manages the EPEAT™ ecolabel, a free resource for procurement professionals to identify and select more sustainable products. In addition, the EPEAT ecolabel is a resource for manufacturers to demonstrate that their products conform to the highest sustainability standards.

At GEC, we believe that technology is an essential and valued aspect of our lives, but it comes at a price. Electronics consume unsustainable amounts of natural resources, contribute to climate change, and add to the largest growing waste stream in the world, e-waste.

Institutional purchasers who buy vast quantities of products have the power to drive the demand for more sustainable electronics. Likewise, electronics brands can demonstrate leadership in the marketplace by selling products with less harmful impacts on people and the planet.

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