Bracknell, UK - December 18, 2007 - NETGEAR, Inc. (NASDAQGM: NTGR), a worldwide provider of technologically advanced, branded networking solutions, announced today that more than 100 of the company's products for homes and small and medium-sized businesses have met ENERGY STAR performance levels. This achievement underscores the company's long-standing commitment to delivering products and packaging that are friendly to the environment.
"We are very proud to add ENERGY STAR to our product packaging," said Patrick Lo, chairman and chief executive officer of NETGEAR. "NETGEAR has a long history of winning awards for the innovation of our product technology. Our participation in this programme demonstrates that we are as dedicated to innovation in power consumption as in product design. By promoting ENERGY STAR, using recyclable materials in our product packaging, and bringing environmentally friendly products into homes and businesses, NETGEAR is meeting the 'Green' challenge."
First introduced in 1992, ENERGY STAR (http://www.energystar.gov) is a joint programme of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy dedicated to helping individuals protect the environment through superior energy efficiency. As a partner in this voluntary program, NETGEAR is ensuring that the external power adapters on its products meet the strict energy- efficiency specifications set by the government. On average, external power adapters that carry ENERGY STAR are 30 percent more efficient than conventional models. Saving energy reduces the burning of fossil fuels, which leads to less air pollution, ultimately reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that cause global climate change.
"We're delighted when leading companies such as NETGEAR recognise the critical mission of the Energy Star programme," said Steve Ryan, ENERGY STAR programme manager at the EPA. "It reinforces the fact that every company can indeed make a difference in the fight against global climate change. The number of products that NETGEAR has entered into the programme is a testament to its commitment to developing energy-efficient products."
Customers will find ENERGY STAR on a wide range of popular NETGEAR products with external power adapters, including Cable Modem Gateways, Storage Central Turbo, WiFi Phones with Skype, many 802.11g wireless products, and the RangeMax NEXT family of 802.11n wireless routers. In addition, a broad array of the company's ProSafe products for corporate, branch and remote offices have qualified for ENERGY STAR designation, including Managed and Stackable Smart Switches, Gigabit Smart Switches, Wired and Wireless VPN Firewalls, and Wireless Access Points.
NETGEAR products that have earned ENERGY STAR are primarily sold in North America. In 2008, the company seeks to have all of its products with external power adapters meet ENERGY STAR guidelines, beginning with products sold in the Australian market.
NETGEAR is also responding to the growing problem of electronic waste by reducing or eliminating hazardous materials in its products, helping to protect the health and safety of its employees, customers, and the environment.
NETGEAR's products meet the European Union Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS), which sets strict content limitations on six substances (for example, lead and mercury) used in the manufacturing of electronic products.
While this directive covers products shipped only in Europe, NETGEAR's policy is that all of the company's products sold worldwide meet the directive.
NETGEAR has long dedicated itself to reducing packaging waste and promoting electronic recycling, meeting or surpassing the minimum requirements. NETGEAR is compliant with the European Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE), which requires producers to be responsible for end-of-life recycling of electronic products, as well as the European Packaging Directive of 2004, which sets targets for recyclable materials used in packaging. Since the company's early days, NETGEAR has ensured that its product packaging is recyclable, with product boxes now containing at least 80 percent post-consumer content. The company is researching alternative packaging in order to reach 100 percent post-consumer content.
More information on NETGEAR's environmental initiatives can be found at http://www.netgear.com/About/Environmental.aspx.
