Product Environmental Management

Internal and External Resources

HSF planning is managed through the integration of internal and external resources. We coordinate efforts with a network of suppliers and major component manufacturers to systematically implement our HSF Plan. In addition, we are establishing baseline data for PVC, BFRs and phthalates by maintaining updated inventories for the status of PVC, BFRs and phthalates in all our products. This measure will help our products to become more environmentally friendly. We have also sought technological assistance from professional environmental organizations to integrate environmental protection quality in product manufacturing technology in order to achieve our goal of making safe products free of hazardous substances in the shortest time possible.
Since the beginning of 2005, Acer has been engaged in professional technology consultation and cooperation with Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), Taiwan Printed Circuit Association (TPCA), International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative (iNEMI), and other professional technology organizations.

• Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI)
  ITRI is Taiwan's largest applied research organization possessing a broad range of industrial technology experience, and accumulating many years of extensive specialization in the fields of environmental technology and plastic materials development. ITRI has also successfully assisted Taiwan's electronics manufacturing industry to comply with green electronics control regulation standards set by EU nations (such as RoHS and WEEE). We believe that cooperation with ITRI will provide Acer and its suppliers with the necessary technical consultation and assistance services on specialized technology to help implement our HSF plan and successfully apply alternative technology for PVC and BFRs to ensure product reliability in the future.
• Taiwan Printed Circuit Association (TPCA)
  Acer joined the Taiwan Printed Circuit Association in 2006 to better understand the environmental impact of BFRs, their use in printed circuit boards and the potential alternative technologies available in the future. Acer is also a participant in the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Standard Research Committee and continues to meet the demands of end users while incorporating new eco-friendly standards into our finished products.
• United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  Acer has become an active participant in the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Flame Retardants in Printed Circuit Boards Partnership plan to better understand the developmental tendencies in the international Design for the Environment (DfE). This will keep us up-to-date on current developments and standards in PCB environmental design. A more detailed account of this plan can be found on the following website: http://www.epa.gov/dfe/pubs/projects/pcb/index.htm

• International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative (iNEMI)

Acer has become an active participant in the International Electronics Manufacturing Initiative (iNEMI) HFR-Free Leadership Program to better understand the developmental tendencies of halogen-free technologies. We regularly participate in meetings and conference calls to identify technology and infrastructure gaps. Our suppliers are also requested to participate in the related forums with iNEMI to grasp the latest developments and solutions for halogen-free production. The detailed iNEMI halogen-free program can be found on the following website: http://www.inemi.org/cms/projects/ese/HFR-Free_Leadership.html