European companies face rising demands for digitalization and sustainability. Through Lenovo Circular IT, the Certified Refurbishment Services initiative has been launched to extend the life of existing IT equipment while reducing both climate impact and IT costs.
Built on insights from a Nordic pilot project, the service is now rolling out in Sweden and 13 additional European countries. Its goal is to provide businesses with a concrete, scalable alternative to the traditional approach of using devices until warranties expire or replacing them entirely with new units.
Companies need a third option
When IT devices near the end of their lifecycle, many organizations still face only two choices: extend warranties or invest in brand-new equipment. At the same time, many companies lack a clear strategy for handling older devices when they are replaced.
This gap is especially problematic given upcoming EU rules related to the circular economy and CSRD, which significantly tighten requirements for documented reuse, sustainable procurement, and lifecycle management. Extending the lifespan of electronics is one of the most effective ways to reduce carbon emissions.
A report from the organization Circularity indicates that a lifespan extension of just 30 percent can cut annual emissions by up to 20 percent. The European Commission also estimates that better materials management and increased reuse could save up to 231 million tonnes of CO2 annually in heavy industry.
“If companies are to take the next necessary step toward a more sustainable and future-proof IT strategy, they need a third, more climate-friendly option in their replacement strategy,” says Stefan Brechling Larsen, Global Sustainability Services Leader at Lenovo. Lenovo’s certified refurbishment services directly reduce waste and increase opportunities to reuse existing equipment.
Extended life without compromising performance
Certified Refurbishment Services enables fully functional devices to be upgraded — for example with additional RAM — and quickly returned to areas of the business where demand is greatest. When employees leave the organization, used devices can undergo cosmetic refurbishment and certified data sanitization before being redeployed as near-new equipment.
Lenovo already has extensive experience in IT lifecycle management. Today, 71 percent of collected equipment is either reused or refurbished, demonstrating the real potential of circular IT strategies.
A solution that strengthens finances, operations and sustainability
With Lenovo’s certified refurbishment services, companies receive devices renovated to OEM-certified quality, with renewed warranty and full data sanitization according to NIST standards. This creates a flexible and robust IT environment where refurbished devices are used in everyday operations while new units are reserved for critical functions or users with high performance demands, including next-generation AI systems.
The result is an IT strategy that makes much better use of existing technology. Total cost of ownership declines, pressure for new purchases is reduced, and organizations become less vulnerable to delivery delays or unexpected changes in staffing.
At the same time, the service supports companies’ work with the EU Green Deal and forthcoming climate requirements, contributing to the goal of reducing emissions by at least 50 percent by 2030.
Documented quality and full traceability
All devices processed through Lenovo Certified Refurbishment Services follow a standardized, documented workflow that ensures data security and operational reliability. This includes data erasure according to NIST SP 800-88, over 35 functional and quality checks, and battery or component replacements when needed.
Equipment also receives cosmetic refurbishment and thorough cleaning so it both performs and looks like new. The service includes renewed Lenovo warranty options, access to Premier Support, and memory upgrades, enabling organizations to return devices to service quickly, securely, and efficiently.
An initiative with Nordic roots
Certified Refurbishment Services grew out of a Nordic pilot program in which selected companies participated during 2025. The Nordics served as a test market due to the region’s strong climate ambitions, robust processes for responsible procurement, and a mature approach to IT reuse.
The Nordic experience now forms the basis for the wider European rollout. Through the Lenovo Service Connect Portal, organizations can choose among three service levels and gain full visibility into scope, quality, and expected impact.
Read about Lenovo’s certified refurbishment services here