ISO/TR 14062:2002 pdf download

ISO/TR 14062:2002 pdf download.Environmental management —
lntegrating environmental aspects into product design and development.
3.8
product system
collection of materially and energetically connected unit processes which performs one Or more defined functions
[ISO 14040:1997, 3.15J
3.9
supply chain
those involved, through upstream and downstream linkages, in processes and activities delivering value m the torn, of products to the user
NOTE 1 In practice, the expression “intedinked chi’ appees from sphers 10 those IWOIVed in end-of-life prooessrg. NOTE 2 In practice. the expressions ‘product chain’. ‘value d’iain’ are often used.
4 Goal and potential benefits
The goal of integrating environmental aspects into product design and development is the reduction of adverse environmental impacts of products throughout their entire life cycles. In striving for this goal, multiple benefits can be achieved for the organization, its competitiveness, customers and other stakehoiders. Potential benefits may rclude:
lower costs by optimizing the use of materials end energy, more efficient processes, reduced waste disposal;
stimulation of innovation and creativity;
identification of new products, e.g. from discarded materials:
meeting or surpassing customer expectations:
— enhancement of organization wnage and/or brand;
— improved customer loyalty;
– attraction of financtng and investment. particulaily from environmentally conscious investors; enhancement of employee motivation;
Increased knowledge about the product
— reduction in liability through reduced environmental impacts:
— reduction of risks;
— improved relations wtth regulators;
improved internal and external communications.
5 Strategic considerations
5.1 General
This clause describes some of the common strategic considerations that organizations take into account when integrating environmental aspects into product design and development. It is useful to consider the goal (see Clause 4) within the context of the organizations existing policies, strategies and structure These existing polioes or strategies can provide valuable direction to witegrating environmental aspects into product design and development.
5.2 Organizational issues
It is important to consider strategic issues such as those mentioned below, because they may have economic and environmental implications for the organization. The overall objectives of the organization influence the extent to which these strategic issues are relevant:
competitors’ activities;
— customer needs, requirements and demands; supplier activities;
– relationships with investors, financiers, insurers and other stakeholders; organization’s environmental aspects and impacts;
activities of regulators and legislators; activities of industry and business associations.
5.3 Product-related issues
Organizations that integrate environmental aspects into product design and development commonly consider the following product-related issues:
a) early integration, i.e. addressing the environmental aspects early in the design and development process; b) product life cycle, i.e. analysis from raw material acquisition to end of life (see Figure 1);
c) functionality, i.e. how well the product suits the purpose for which it is intended in terms of usability, useful lifetime, appearance, among others;
d) multi-criteria concept, i.e. consideration of all relevant environmental impacts and aspects;
e) trade-offs, i.e. seeking optimal solutions.
These issues are discussed in more detail in 7.3.
5.4 Communication
A communication strategy is an integral part of the process of incorporating environmental aspects into product design and development. An effective strategy addresses both internal and external communication. Internal communication could involve providing information to employees on
— the organization’s policy,
— product-related environmental impacts,
– training courses on environmental issues, programmes and tools,
— successful projects or products,
— site-specific impacts on the environment.
Such communication can also involve mechanisms that obtain feedback from employees on product design and development issues.
6Management considerations6.1General
This clause describes the role of top management and the importance of its commitment to a programme ofintegrating environmental aspects into product design and development. The decisions taken by managementdetermine the framework and targets of the programme, the level of support the work will receive and thedegree of optimization the programme will achieve.
6.2 Management role
The process of integrating environmental aspects into product design and development can be initiated eitherby management (top-down) or by designers and product developers (bottom-up). In practice, both approachescan take place simultaneously.Regardless of which business function initiates the process, top managementlevel support is needed to have a significant effect on an organization’s product design and developmentactivities.