Environmental Certifications
ENERY STAR Qualification
ENERGY STAR, a joint program between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy, offers voluntary qualification for products that are energy efficient. The ENERGY STAR program sets high standards designed to save energy, save money and help protect the environment for future generations. Panasonic is one of more than 7,000 organizations that have become ENERGY STAR partners, all working to improve the energy efficiency of products, homes and businesses. Panasonics commitment to ENERGY STAR initiatives and other environmental programs have resulted in all Toughbook computers receiving the ENERGY STAR 5.0 qualification.
ENERGY STAR 5.0 for computers raises the efficiency bar dramatically. ENERGY STAR 5.0 establishes efficiency requirements for all modes of a computers operation, which ensures energy savings when a computer is active and running basic applications, as well as in low power modes. Qualifying computers must also include an internal power supply that is at least 80 percent efficient. Only the most energy-efficient products, including all Toughbook computers have qualified for the new specification. ENERGY STAR estimates that these new requirements can save $1.8 billion in energy costs over the next five years and prevent greenhouse gas releases equal to the annual emissions of 2.7 million vehicles.
EPEAT Certification
EPEAT is an easy-to-use, online tool to help purchasers in the public and private sectors evaluate, compare and select desktop computers, laptops and monitors based on their environmental attributes. EPEAT also provides a clear and consistent set of performance criteria for the design of products, and provides an opportunity for manufacturers to secure market recognition for their efforts to reduce the environmental impact of its products.
EPEAT evaluates electronic products according to three tiers of environmental performance Bronze, Silver and Gold. There are 51 total environmental criteria: 23 required criteria and 28 optional criteria. A Bronze-rated product meets all 23 required criteria. A Silver-rated product meets all 23 required criteria plus at least 50% of the optional criteria. A Gold-rated product meets all 23 required criteria and at least 75% of the optional criteria. All Toughbook computer models are either gold- or silver-rated, ensuring the highest level of environmental performance.
Learn more about Panasonics EPEAT certifications
ISO Certification
Since 1996, all Panasonic manufacturing plants worldwide including the factory in Kobe, Japan where Toughbook mobile computers are made—have achieved ISO 14001 registration and implemented the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System. The Kobe factory has also been certified for ISO 9001, an international standard for quality management systems that enhance product quality assurance and customer satisfaction.
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) is an international federation promoting the development of international manufacturing, trade, and communication standards. ISO 14000, a series of standards, provides the framework for managing the environmental impacts of an organization.
The ISO 14001 international standard established a systematic approach that organizations can use to minimize or prevent environmental impacts and risks. This approach, known as an Environmental Management System or EMS, requires the organization to establish an environmental control policy, educate employees about procedures and continually monitor environmental performance.
RoHS Compliance
Toughbook mobile computers comply with regulations that restrict the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment sold in European markets. The European Unions Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive bans lead and five other hazardous substances from manufacturing processes. For manufacturers of electronic equipment, the main impact of RoHS is that only lead-free products can be sold in Europe. Panasonic has therefore shifted to lead-free solder. By selling RoHS-compliant Toughbook computers in all countries, not just Europe, Panasonic helps eliminate hazardous electronic waste materials from landfills and waste dumps around the world.
General Certifications
Section 508 Standards
Section 508 was enacted to eliminate barriers in information technology, to make available new opportunities for people with disabilities, and to encourage development of technologies that will help achieve these goals. Electronic and information technology procured by Federal agencies must meet Section 508s requirements for accessibility.
Toughbook mobile computers have long been designed and manufactured with access-friendly features, such as touchscreens and the ability to be mounted on wheelchairs. In addition, Panasonic works closely with Microsoft to ensure that Toughbook computers can take full advantage of the accessibility features built into Windows. Panasonic continually endeavors to make all its products more accessible to, and usable by, individuals with disabilities. In fact, Panasonic worked with ITIC (Information Technology Industry Council) in developing the Section 508 "Buy Accessible" template, and also actively participates in the GSA (General Services Administration) sponsored Accessibility Forum.
View the Section 508 statement and chart.
MIL-STD Certifications
MIL-STD-810G
Fully-rugged Panasonic laptops and Toughbook U1 are the first computers to be MIL-STD-810G certified for a range of extreme conditions including 72" drops1, shocks, vibration, humidity, altitude, rain-, dust- and sand-resistance, temperature extremes and thermal shock. Each of the twenty MIL-STD-810G tests conducted have been certified by independent lab testing. MIL-STD-810G, which was created in October 2008, supersedes MIL-STD-810.
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MIL-STD-461F
Fully-rugged Toughbook models are also tested to the MIL-STD-461F standard methodology for electromagnetic interference (EMI) and electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) in Panasonics R&D facility in Japan and certified by a third party. The certification ensures that Panasonic Toughbook mobile computers are electromagnetically compatible with other nearby electronic equipment. Panasonic Toughbook mobile computers do not generate unwanted electromagnetic energy that could interfere with the operation of other equipment, nor are susceptible to the effects of unwanted electromagnetic energy from equipment in the same vicinity.
Panasonic has various certifications that meet federal requirements for rugged computers.
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Underwriters Laboratories (UL 1604)
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) tests products for public safety and has developed more than 1,000 "Standards for Safety".
UL 1604 certification allows products to be used in potentially explosive environments found in oil and gas, petrochemical, aviation and other industries. Fully-rugged and ultra-mobile-rugged Toughbook mobile computers can be configured to provide safe, reliable mobile computing solutions for spark-free use. UL 1604-approved versions of fully-rugged Toughbook models are available for use in Class I, Division 2, Groups A, B, C and D environments. These are defined as places where flammable gases, vapors and liquids are present during abnormal or accident conditions.
Ingress Protection (IP65)
Fully-rugged and ultra-mobile-rugged Toughbook® mobile computers are IP65 certified1 according to the IP code defined in the international standard IEC 60529.
The products are tested and certified by an independent test lab facility located in the United States. Rather than vaguely describing equipment as "waterproof" or "dustproof", the IP Code uniformly quantifies various levels of resistance to liquids, particulates and solid objects. The numbers following the letters "IP" represent the specific degree of protection provided by electrical enclosures. The first digit (6) indicates the ingress of dust at a level that will not have a harmful effect on the operation of the unit. The second digit (5) indicates that water sprayed from all directions will not compromise the computers functioning. Higher numbers indicate a higher tolerance to dust and water. For example, a unit with an IP65 rating will withstand both elements better than a unit with an IP54 rating. While IP65-certified Toughbook computers are not completely impervious to the ingress of water or dust, the rating does indicate neither element will cause operational complications while used under conditions commonly encountered by Toughbook mobile computers.
Wireless Certifications
Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless certifies a range of Toughbook mobile computers for use on their nationwide broadband network. All Toughbook models have been fully tested and approved for Verizon Wireless high-speed network, allowing users to access the internet, corporate files, company networks and VPNs without the need for PC cards or Wi-Fi hotspots.
View all Toughbook mobile computers certified for the Verizon Wireless network.
AT&T Wireless
Panasonic Toughbook mobile computers are certified by AT&T for use on their high-speed 3G network-available in more than 350 metropolitan areas and more than 40,000 miles of roadways across the U.S. AT&T-certified Panasonic Toughbook mobile computers are built on GSM technology a global standard for wireless communications used by 85% of all mobile users worldwide. International travelers can use Toughbook mobile computers for broadband access in 150 countries.
View all Toughbook mobile computers certified for the AT&T Wireless network.
Sprint Wireless
Sprint certifies Panasonic Toughbook mobile computers for use on their dependable 3G network. Sprint Mobile Broadband provides secure, high-speed wireless access to email, business information and applications in more than 18,000 cities and 1,800 airports nationwide, reaching more than 249 million people.
View all Toughbook mobile computers certified for the Sprint Wireless network.