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Exploring the elements of CSRD

Every year, 40 million tons of electronic waste are generated. This amount of e-waste is equivalent to throwing away 800 laptops every second. Despite this, huge quantities of hardware are still being manufactured worldwide, and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) continue to push new hardware even when the equipment is still functional after reaching End of Service Life (EOSL).

Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive

The above indicates, there is a problem, and thus, the EU has introduced a new initiative through legislation that mandates all large companies, as well as listed SMEs, to provide a mandatory sustainability report, known as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). This directive is a crucial component of the EU's broader objective to foster a more sustainable economy and encourage responsible business practices. It is anticipated to enhance the transparency, reliability, and comparability of sustainability reporting, enabling investors, stakeholders, and consumers to make well-informed decisions and promote sustainable growth.

To comply with the CSRD requirements, companies with over 500 employees must begin implementing the new reporting standards and processes starting from January 1, 2024. In 2025, companies with 250 employees will be required to follow, and finally, in 2026, listed SMEs must commence their reporting.

Some of the steps that companies can take to meet these requirements include:

Identifying relevant sustainability data: Companies should identify and collect data related to environmental, social, and governance factors. This may include information on energy consumption, CO2 emissions, working conditions, diversity, and more.

Integrating sustainability into the business strategy: Companies should integrate sustainability into their business strategy and management processes. This involves identifying sustainability risks and opportunities and developing goals and initiatives to improve sustainability performance.

Implementing internal controls: Implementing internal controls and processes to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the collected data is crucial.

Adopting digital solutions: CSRD promotes digital reporting, so companies should consider investing in digital technologies and tools that make it easier to collect, manage, and present sustainability data.

Collaborating with experts: It may be helpful to work with experts in sustainability reporting and ESG data management to ensure that the company complies with the complex requirements of CSRD.

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Prolonging the life cycle of data center hardware: One initiative to meet some the CSRD requirements:

Extending the life span of data center equipment through Third Party Data Center Maintenance is one alternative to meet some of the CSRD requirements. Although many companies buy new hardware every third year, the equipment is often estimated to have a life span of at least five years - and sometimes longer. By prolonging the life cycle companies can reduce the carbon footprint.

What is Third Party Maintenance?

Third Party Maintenance is a practice in which an external service provider (a third-party company), like Nordic Computer, offers technical support and maintenance of a company's IT equipment instead of conducting maintenance internally or by using OEMs. This often includes server, storage and Networking equipment. Companies have increasingly realized the benefits of using specialized services from third-party providers rather than investing in new IT hardware from OEMs to ensure that the life span of their existing equipment.

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Detailed Description of Third Party Maintenance:

1. Support and Maintenance:

Hardware Maintenance includes a wide range of services like e.g. preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, repairs, upgrades and technical support. A Third Party Maintenance partner takes action to ensure that a company's IT equipment functions optimally and is available when needed.

2. Multi-Brand Support:

One of the key features of a Third Party Maintenance partner is its coverage of a wide range of IT hardware, regardless of the manufacturer. This means that companies are not tied to a single OEM, and the TPM can assist in maintaining a heterogeneous IT infrastructure. This benefits both the environment and the economy when a company chooses to purchase refurbished hardware.

3. Extension of Lifespan:

When the OEM warranty expires, companies have the option of third-party maintenance. This allows for a reinvestment in the company's hardware assets with lifespan extension, rather than buying new equipment.

4. Quick Response time, Flexibility, and Service Agreements

Third-party maintenance partners are known for their response time and ability to tailor service agreements to a company's unique needs and priorities. This helps minimize both downtime and disruptions in the company's operations. 

5. Environmental Friendliness:

An important sustainable factor today is to reduce the amount of electronic waste. By extending the lifespan of your IT hardware and reducing frequent replacements, Nordic Computer's Hardware Service can help with both hardware servicing and the acquisition of your old equipment. After acquiring old equipment, our technicians test and refurbish it. This process results in refurbished hardware that extends the hardware's lifespan and saves the expense of buying new equipment.

6. Experience and Expertise:

Third Party Maintenance technicians are renowned for their expertise in hardware service and maintenance. They are often not bound to a single brand but have typically expertise and know-how across several brands.

Nordic Computer's Engagement in Sustainable Business Practices and CSRD Requirements

Nordic Computer is dedicated to assisting companies in meeting the demands and challenges associated with the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). We understand the significance of sustainability and responsible business practices in today's complex business world.

Our hardware maintenance is not just a way to optimize your IT infrastructure; it is also a sustainable approach to managing IT hardware that contributes to reducing electronic waste, carbon emissions and extending the lifespan of your equipment. By extending the life cycle of yoyr data center hardware, we can assist you to achieve some of your sustainability goals and comply with CSRD requirements.

Contact us today at sales@nordiccomputer.com to find out how we can assist your company in meeting some of the CSRD requirements and making a positive impact on our planet.