Energy, environment and natural resources

Executive Order 12845: Requiring Agencies to Purchase Energy Efficient Computer Equipment

President: Bill Clinton

Required federal purchases of qualifying computers, monitors and printers to meet EPA Energy Star standards; EO 13123 later revoked it.

Status: Revoked — by EO 13123 in 1999.

Is Executive Order 12845 still in effect? No. EO 13123 revoked it in 1999.

What does Executive Order 12845 do?

EO 12845 directed agencies, within 180 days, to specify Energy Star-compliant microcomputers, personal computers, monitors and printers when buying equipment, subject to case-by-case exceptions. It also called for low-power features to arrive activated, user awareness and annual exemption reporting. EO 13123 expressly revoked the order in June 1999 while establishing a broader federal energy-management program.

Administration position: The order said federal buying power could expand the market for energy-efficient equipment and lower government energy use. Those were the administration’s expected effects.
SignedApril 21, 1993
Procurement standardEPA Energy Star qualifying equipment
Initial implementationWithin 180 days

Before and after

Before the order

Energy Star existed, but federal purchasers did not yet have this government-wide order to specify qualifying office equipment.

After the order

Agencies added Energy Star specifications and power-management practices until EO 13123 replaced the directive.

Who had to do what

Agency / officeActionTiming / position
Federal agenciesSpecify qualifying computer equipment or document exceptionsWithin 180 days
Vendors and agency purchasersShip low-power features activated when practicableFor covered acquisitions
Agency heads and GSATrack exceptions and consolidate annual reportingAnnually while in force

What happened next

EO 12845 signed.

The 180-day implementation period ended.

EO 13123 revoked EO 12845.