| Objectives | Background | Approach |
To track and compile forthcoming environmental legislation,
directives, and consumer/environmentalist movement demands in
the US, the European Union (EU), Japan and other countries, and
to assess their effects on the electronics industry.
Concern is growing, both in the legislatures and amongst the general public, that the manufacture, operation and disposal of electronic goods may cause toxins to be released to the environment. These toxins may damage the environment and may enter water supplies and the food chain, posing a hazard to public health. This concern is growing with the increasing use of electronics and with the widening of the electronics manufacturing; use and disposal supply chain to include the developing countries with lax environmental regulations and enforcement.
Forthcoming legislation in the EU and Japan will make the use of solder containing lead illegal for a large number of products. The EU also plans to ban the use of halide flame-retardants, in line with guidance issued by the World Health Organization and is proposing legislation to make manufacturers responsible for recycling up to 90% of their products, once the consumer wishes to dispose of them. Similar laws are under consideration by legislative bodies in other countries and are being demanded by consumer and non-governmental organizations.
Although laws are yet to be enacted, it is likely that some form of ban on these and other toxic materials common to electronic products will be introduced. Even where the substances are not banned, safe disposal requirements on items containing toxic compounds may be imposed. Some local governments in the United States and Europe have already enacted local regulations on material disposal. Electronic product manufacturers need to be aware of these legislative trends to make suitable technology insertion, modification, and upgrade decisions.
During the course of this project we will assess selected electronic products types (the selection will be based on the member company inputs) and establish what process steps in their design, manufacturing, use and disposal will be affected by the following:
Based on these studies, we will develop a report and a roadmap on the timetable of product modifications for different parts of the world. The roadmap will identify which issues need to be covered by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and how OEMs can ensure regulatory compliance by their domestic and international suppliers. Particular attention will be placed on systems developers who rely on outsourcing to develop, manufacture, distribute, and service their products.