N.E.P.D: Workshop 7

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NETWRK
for Electronic Product Design
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CfSD Conferences and Networks page | NEPD Homepage | Online conference

NEPD3: Survey; Environment and Design in the Electronics Sector

Summary of Research Findings, March-April, 1996
and
Discussion, May 8th 1996
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Executive Summary

Between March and April 1996 CfSD undertook a postal survey amongst a sample
of 325 attendees at environmental conferences in the electronics industry, as a guide to
the development of the Network for Electronic Product Design (NEPD).

There were 54 respondents from Europe and the US, representing a 14% response rate; below are the key findings from the survey. Due to the relatively small size of the sample, results should be treated as indicative rather than definitive.

The highest number of respondents described their role or function as some form of environmental management.
In almost half the companies (47%), environmental management was a part-time duty
Respondents were from a broad range of industry sectors, with a bias towards those in telecommunications or services showing most interest (24%)
A high percentage (68%) of respondents believe that 'producer responsibility' will have a large or very large impact on their business, the most widely given reason being that it would change the way companies undertake design and production.
The environmental issues most influencing businesses now are

waste management (mentioned by 27%)

packaging (15%)
energy management (14%)

Within the next 3 years the most important issues are seen as

Waste management (14%)
Design for the Environment [DfE] (13%)
End-of-Life management (13%)

80% of respondents are exploring DfE in relation to new or existing product development, with 'dissassembly' (26%) being the most explored approach
24% mention cost as being the biggest obstacle to developing DfE
Exploring 'design for environment' is only a part of the duties of a high percentage of respondents, with 75% stating they spend less than 50% of their time on DfE
Respondents suggest that there is a broad range of awareness of environmental issues among product designers (34%). Most believed,however, that design awareness could be improved by information explaining key design issues and DfE guidelines, and through training
45% know of no organisations that deal with DfE within the electronics sector
Services which are suggested as likely to improve management awareness of DfE 'now' are access to, and sharing information on, DfE (11%), with 12% stating this to be the key issue in the next 3 years
Services which are suggested as likely to improve designers' awareness of DfE 'now' include definitions of and guidelines for DfE (7%), with 9% stating that these services would be required most in the next 3 years
78% of respondents showed some level of interest in NEPD
75% of respondents would like more information on NEPD
The most popular services requested from NEPD are 'informational', and. the most requested formats for this are summaries (32%) and reference publications (27%). The prime reason given here was 'ease and speed of reference' (32%)

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NEPD Homepage

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