Nintendo responds to Greenpeace criticism

via Computer and Video Games


Nintendo has hit back at criticism from Greenpeace who claimed that the Wii tested positive for hazardous chemicals and materials.

As we reported yesterday, Greenpeace recently unveiled that Nintendo was bottom of the pile in its Guide to Greener Electronics, which ranks the top 18 manufacturers of PCs, mobile phones, TVs and consoles in terms of policies on tackling environmental waste.

But speaking this morning to TechRadar, Nintendo refuted the claims. "Nintendo has not been badly rated by Greenpeace," a Nintendo spokesman said. "Greenpeace chose to conduct a survey and produce a report, which graded companies upon the voluntary submission of information.

"Nintendo decided not to take part in the survey and were therefore 'ungraded' in the resulting report. Nintendo provides detailed information regarding our compliance to EU Directives via the Consumer Section of our website and therefore we felt it unnecessary to take part in the Greenpeace survey.

"Furthermore, we fully comply with all the necessary EU Directives on the Restriction of Hazardous Substances aimed at environmental protection and consumer health and safety. Furthermore, in order to ensure our products are safe for use by young children we also take into consideration the standards applicable to toys."

Dr. Kevin Brigden at the Greenpeace Science Unit at Exeter University has been contacted for further comment, so don't expect this to be the last of it.