Why buy a highly rated phone?
Eco Rating – At One NZ, we aim to build a digital society that enhances socio-economic progress, embraces everyone and does not come at the cost of our planet. Eco Rating is a harmonised scoring system for mobile devices we are introducing along with other global partners that will let you make more environmentally conscious choices when shopping online or in-store.
How does it work?
Eco Rating evaluates the impact smartphones and feature phones make on our environment throughout the entire lifecycle of the device. There is an overall score that shows the impact the device has on the environment and society.
The highest possible Eco Rating score is 100 for maximum environmental performance. The closer the score is to 100, the better the environmental performance of the device. In addition, there are 5-sub-category scores for Durability, Repairability, Recyclability, Climate efficiency and Resource efficiency that show how each device performs in these specific areas.
The highest possible Eco Rating score is 100 for maximum environmental performance. The closer the score is to 100, the better the environmental performance of the device. In addition, there are 5-sub-category scores for Durability, Repairability, Recyclability, Climate efficiency and Resource efficiency that show how each device performs in these specific areas.
Legacy label used for all devices launched until 31-Dec-2022 | Version 1
New Label used for all devices launched from 1-Jan-2023 | Version 2
For more details, see Updated Methodology
Resource efficiency
Assess impact of scarce raw materials used in device manufacturing (e.g. gold for electronics) on resource depletion. A better score means less impact on material availability.
Repairability
Assesses device repair ease, including design and activities to increase product lifespan through repair, reuse, and upgradability. A high score indicates good support for these aspects.
Recyclability
How well the device components can be recovered and disassembled, the provided information to allow it, and how well its materials can be recycled.
Climate efficiency
The production of the device including the use of recycled plastics, minerals, metals and transportation.
Durability
Covers the robustness of the device, the battery life and the guarantee period of the device and its components.
FAQ
Why introduce Eco Rating now?
We are convinced that Eco Rating can motivate and inspire the whole mobile industry to accelerate its transition towards a more circular model for mobile phones.
Mobile phone consumers are increasingly aware of how the device choices they make can contribute to minimising climate impact and lead to a more environmental sustainable industry.
Building a more sustainable future is our joint responsibility. We believe it is the right time to launch a harmonised, industry-wide Eco Rating that will improve transparency and help raise awareness of the environmental impact of the phones we supply, and our customers choose.
Mobile phone consumers are increasingly aware of how the device choices they make can contribute to minimising climate impact and lead to a more environmental sustainable industry.
Building a more sustainable future is our joint responsibility. We believe it is the right time to launch a harmonised, industry-wide Eco Rating that will improve transparency and help raise awareness of the environmental impact of the phones we supply, and our customers choose.
Who is behind the Eco Rating initiative?
More than 20 phone manufacturers have contributed to Eco Rating by providing data for their devices, with others expected to be announced in the future.
Five of Europe’s leading mobile operators have joined forces to develop and launch the new pan-industry Eco Rating labelling scheme - Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica (operating under the O2 and Movistar brands), Telia Company and Vodafone in May 2021. Since then Eco Rating is expanding globally .
One NZ is supporting this initiative to show the Eco Rating label for their customers and is working with the New Zealand Telecommunications Forum and the other major NZ telecommunications companies on an industry wide approach.
Five of Europe’s leading mobile operators have joined forces to develop and launch the new pan-industry Eco Rating labelling scheme - Deutsche Telekom, Orange, Telefónica (operating under the O2 and Movistar brands), Telia Company and Vodafone in May 2021. Since then Eco Rating is expanding globally .
One NZ is supporting this initiative to show the Eco Rating label for their customers and is working with the New Zealand Telecommunications Forum and the other major NZ telecommunications companies on an industry wide approach.
Can the methodology and Eco Rating score be used for all types of mobile device?
The Eco Rating and the methodology is developed for smartphones and feature phones. Other product types like tablets, wearables/smart watches, C-IoT products, routers and laptops are out of scope for the time being.
How do I compare a phone with an Eco Rating to one without it?
At launch, there will be existing devices on the market which do not have Eco Ratings, but we aim to rate as many models as possible. Where devices are still being assessed they will show as ‘Pending’ and for those devices which are not rated, consumers will need to rely on the information provided by the handset manufacturers.
Updated Methodology – what is the difference between Version 1 and Version 2?
After the 1.5 years since the global launch of Eco Rating in May 2021, there was a need to slightly update the methodology for the following reasons:
Main changes in the methodology:
The differences between the old and new methodologies (pre and post 01-Jan-2023) are shown through a new label, Version 2.
Please note devices assessed with different methodologies are not comparable.
For more details on the new Eco Rating methodology, Version 2, applicable for all devices launched from 1-Jan-2023 onwards, please click here.
For more details on the legacy Eco Rating methodology, applicable for all devices that were launched before 31-Dec-2022, please click here.
- New device technologies added (e.g. new cameras).
- Lessons learnt from 300+ addressed devices and identifying challenges and pattern.
- Feedback received from stakeholders (including customers and operators, standardization bodies, NGOs).
Main changes in the methodology:
- Lowering the weighting of those criteria that the majority of devices already support.
- Additional points for devices that are produced with renewable energy, support a longer lifetime and include circularity aspects.
The differences between the old and new methodologies (pre and post 01-Jan-2023) are shown through a new label, Version 2.
Please note devices assessed with different methodologies are not comparable.
For more details on the new Eco Rating methodology, Version 2, applicable for all devices launched from 1-Jan-2023 onwards, please click here.
For more details on the legacy Eco Rating methodology, applicable for all devices that were launched before 31-Dec-2022, please click here.