Apple and the EPEAT have had quite the back and forth over the past week or so. It was discovered that Apple had suddenly withdrew all of its products from the EPEAT’s environmental registry, and Apple’s Bob Mansfield later explained the company’s decision to abandon the EPEAT’s outdated standards. Due to the initial concern and outcry, Apple did something it hardly ever does: backpedaled. Now Apple’s products are certified by the EPEAT again.

Despite the fact that all of Apple’s other MacBooks boast the EPEAT’s highest gold ranking, it was assumed that the new MacBook Pro with Retina Display wouldn’t qualify. After all, Apple’s new creation is the “least repairable” MacBook ever made. And yet, according to Apple’s website, the new MacBook Pro earns a stellar gold ranking as well.

The MacBook Pro’s Retina Display is basically impossible to take apart, and the laptop’s batteries are attached with industrial strength glue. Apple’s standards for repairability don’t necessarily meet EPEAT’s. Did EPEAT change its standards to accommodate Apple?

The Electronics TakeBack Coalition explains:

It’s important to understand that the manufacturers grade themselves against the EPEAT criteria first, and then EPEAT conducts a review of this grading. That EPEAT review has not yet occurred. They can require the manufacturers to remove any product from the registry if it is not found to conform to the IEEE standard.

It will be interesting to see how the Apple and EPEAT tango plays out in the coming weeks. Apple backpedaling in such a way is very uncharacteristic of the company.

Source: Fortune