improvements in design can be achieved; and developing software tools that can inform environmentally preferable design decisions [Seifert, 1995]. In Sweden, the government and Volvo have developed a relatively simple Environment Priority Strategies for Environmental Design, or EPS, system which uses Environmental Load Units, or ELUs, to inform materials choices during the design process. In Germany, Siemens Nixdorf has developed an "Eco-balance system to help it make design choices that reflect both environmental and economic requirements. Xerox is a world leader in designing their products for refurbishment using a product life More broadly, the American Electronics Association(AEA) Design for Environment Task Force has created a series of White Papers discussing various aspects of Design for Environment and its implementation. The Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation(MCC) has published a comprehensive study [Lipp et aL., 1993] of the environmental impacts of a computer workstation, which is valuable not only for its technical dings, but for the substantial data and methodological gaps the study process identified. The Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry(SETAC) and others, especially in Europe, are working on a number of comprehensive life-cycle assessment(LCA)methodologies designed to identify and prioritize environmental impacts of substances throughout their life cycle. The International Organization for Standards(ISo)is in the process of creating an international LCA standard. The IEEE Environment, Health and Safety Committee, formed in July, 1992, to support the integration of environmental, health, and safety considerations into electronics products and processes from design and manufacturing, to use, to recycling, refurbishing, or disposal has held a series of annual symposium on electronics and the environment. The proceedings from these symposia are valuable resources to the practitioners of DFE. 111.4 Environmental Implications for the electronics Industry Global concerns and regulations associated with environmental issues are increasingly affecting the manufac turing and design of electronic products, their technology development, and marketing strategies. No point illustrates this better than the German Blue Angel Eco-Labeling scheme for personal computers(the Blue Ange is a quasi-governmental, multi-attribute eco-labeling program). The Blue Angel requirements are numerous and span the complete life-cycle of the computers. Examples of some the requirements include: modular design of the entire system, customer-replaceable subassemblies and modules, use of non-halogenated flame retardants and take back by manufacturers at the end of the product life. Market requirements such as these, focused on products and integrating as they do environmental and technology considerations, cannot possibly be met by continuing to treat environmental impact as an unavoidable result of industrial activity, i.e., as overhead. These requirements make environmental concerns truly strategic for the firm. Perhaps the most familiar example of a new generation of environmental management "requirements which will have enormous effects on electronics design is"product take back". These programs, such as the one mentioned in the Blue Angel labeling scheme, are being introduced in Germany and other countries for electronics manufacturers. They generally require that the firm take its products back once the consumer is through with them, recycle or refurbish the product, and assume responsibility for any remaining waste generated by the product. Other members of the European Union and Japan are among others considering uch"take back"requirements. Similarly, the emergence of the international standard, ISO 14000, which includes requirements for environmental management systems, methodologies for life cycle assessment and environmental product specifications will have vast implications for the electronics industry. Though technically voluntary, in practice these standards in fact become requirements for firms wishing to engage in global commerce. These examples represent a global trend towards proactive management of business and products in the name of the environment 111.5 Emerging Technology New tools and technologies are emerging which will influence the environmental performance of electronic products and help the industry respond to the regulatory "push"and the market"pull"for environmentally responsible products. In the electronics industry, technology developments are important not only for the end-products, but e 2000 by CRC Press LLC© 2000 by CRC Press LLC improvements in design can be achieved; and developing software tools that can inform environmentally preferable design decisions [Seifert, 1995]. In Sweden, the government and Volvo have developed a relatively simple Environment Priority Strategies for Environmental Design, or EPS, system which uses Environmental Load Units, or ELUs, to inform materials choices during the design process. In Germany, Siemens Nixdorf has developed an “Eco-balance” system to help it make design choices that reflect both environmental and economic requirements. Xerox is a world leader in designing their products for refurbishment using a product life extension approach. More broadly, the American Electronics Association (AEA) Design for Environment Task Force has created a series of White Papers discussing various aspects of Design for Environment and its implementation. The Microelectronics and Computer Technology Corporation (MCC) has published a comprehensive study [Lipp et al., 1993] of the environmental impacts of a computer workstation, which is valuable not only for its technical findings, but for the substantial data and methodological gaps the study process identified. The Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) and others, especially in Europe, are working on a number of comprehensive life-cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies designed to identify and prioritize environmental impacts of substances throughout their life cycle. The International Organization for Standards (ISO) is in the process of creating an international LCA standard. The IEEE Environment, Health and Safety Committee, formed in July, 1992, to support the integration of environmental, health, and safety considerations into electronics products and processes from design and manufacturing, to use, to recycling,refurbishing, or disposal has held a series of annual symposium on electronics and the environment. The proceedings from these symposia are valuable resources to the practitioners of DFE. 111.4 Environmental Implications for the Electronics Industry Global concerns and regulations associated with environmental issues are increasingly affecting the manufac￾turing and design of electronic products, their technology development, and marketing strategies. No point illustrates this better than the German Blue Angel Eco-Labeling scheme for personal computers (the Blue Angel is a quasi-governmental, multi-attribute eco-labeling program). The Blue Angel requirements are numerous and span the complete life-cycle of the computers. Examples of some the requirements include: modular design of the entire system, customer-replaceable subassemblies and modules, use of non-halogenated flame retardants, and take back by manufacturers at the end of the product life. Market requirements such as these, focused on products and integrating as they do environmental and technology considerations, cannot possibly be met by continuing to treat environmental impact as an unavoidable result of industrial activity, i.e., as overhead. These requirements make environmental concerns truly strategic for the firm. Perhaps the most familiar example of “a new generation of environmental management” requirements which will have enormous effects on electronics design is “product take back”. These programs, such as the one mentioned in the Blue Angel labeling scheme, are being introduced in Germany and other countries for electronics manufacturers. They generally require that the firm take its products back once the consumer is through with them, recycle or refurbish the product, and assume responsibility for any remaining waste generated by the product. Other members of the European Union and Japan are among others considering such “take back” requirements. Similarly, the emergence of the international standard, ISO 14000, which includes requirements for environmental management systems, methodologies for life cycle assessment and environmental product specifications will have vast implications for the electronics industry. Though technically voluntary, in practice these standards in fact become requirements for firms wishing to engage in global commerce. These examples represent a global trend towards proactive management of business and products in the name of the environment. 111.5 Emerging Technology New tools and technologies are emerging which will influence the environmental performance of electronic products and help the industry respond to the regulatory “push” and the market “pull” for environmentally responsible products. In the electronics industry, technology developments are important not only for the end-products, but