Portland, OR — Amazon.com is now featuring the EPEAT electronics rating system on its site by identifying products that carry the EPEAT rating and making it easy to browse products by rating level.

EPEAT is a third-party rating system that analyzes products on 51 criteria. Products must meet 23 mandatory criteria, and they are awarded bronze, silver or gold ratings based on how many of the other criteria they meet.

EPEAT sees if products are free of toxic materials, were designed for recycling, have increased energy efficiency, and are included in takeback and recycling programs.

The rating system currently is set up for desktop computers, laptops, monitors, and, just recently, thin client devices and workstations. Standards for TVs, printers, fax machines and copiers are in the works.

Amazon.com has added EPEAT information to more than 800 products on its site that have earned the rating. The site's electronics section includes links along the left-hand column, under the "Green" heading, for each of the three levels of EPEAT rating.