Greenpeace International cheered several tech companies that have met its expanded ranking criteria in its "Guide to Greener Electronics" listing of OEMs based on their policies toward toxic chemicals, e-waste, and climate change.

The environmental group announced in March that it would tighten requirements in its guide, adding new energy criteria that includes support for global mandatory reduction of GHG (greenhouse-gas) emissions; disclosure of GHG emissions plus emissions from two stages of the supply chain; commitment to reduce GHG emissions with time lines; proportional use of renewable energy in total electricity use of more than 25% operations; and energy efficiency of new end-product models based on the latest Energy Star standards.

On the new criteria, only two of two 18 companies measured scored above five out of 10 possible points in Greenpeace's immediately following June Guide to Greener Electronics.

Greenpeace's September guide evidenced increase environmental diligence on behalf of OEMs, the group said.

"Most of the brands are responding to the more stringent chemical and e-waste criteria in the Greenpeace Guide and the recently added energy criteria," said Iza Kruszewska, toxics campaigner with Greenpeace, in a statement Tuesday.

"Top scorers on energy efficiency of individual products are Apple, Nokia, Sony Ericsson, and Samsung. Toshiba has also improved its climate policy."

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Fujitsu Siemens Computers moved to third place, up from 15th place in the June ranking, with a score of 5.5 points. According to Greenpeace, the company has finally set late 2010 as its deadline for eliminating toxic PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastic and all BFRs (brominated flame retardants) across its product range. Cell phone maker Sony Ericsson ranked fourth followed by Sony, both scoring 5.3.

While the debate as to whether the removal of BFRs and PVC from electronics design is the best decision for the environment is still out, several companies have recently launched products with restricted amounts of such materials.

Intel, for one, last week launched its first four halogen-free Xeon processors. Apple CEO Steve Jobs also announced last week that the new iPod line will be free of BFRs, PVC, and mercury, following the lead of companies like Nokia and Sony Ericsson.

"This is a great step by Apple towards its commitment to eliminate these toxic chemicals from all its products by the end of 2008," said Casey Harrell, toxics campaigner at Greenpeace, in the statement. "They should continue this positive work and improve their ranking by announcing a free, global recycling program."

Greenpeace has not always been so positive on Apple. The environmental group specifically targeted the consumer electronics giant's 3G iPhone for use of certain chemicals that it deems toxic in June.

Greenpeace has also singled out Philips in the past, claiming the company has sub-par policies on e-waste take back. Greenpeace continued to make such claims in its most recent report, stating that Philips stands out as the company with the worst position on e-waste and recycling.

The company ranked 12th with 4.3 points, retaining its penalty point for lobbying against Individual Producer Responsibility for financing e-waste recycling in the European Union.

Also on Greenpeace's bad side are Microsoft, which received 2.2 points; Sharp, with a 3.1 ranking, and Nintendo with 0.8 points.

By Suzanne Deffree, Managing Editor, News - Electronic News