| PHASE 1 - Business Feasibility |
{Can a realistic business case be made for the product and market being proposed?}
Each of the EG caveats needs to be considered at this stage because of the financial accountability and social implications that are involved with the product and company. For example, under the European WEEE Directive, producers are accountable for the costs of treatment, recycling and recovery of separately collected Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment to specified treatment standards and targets. This is money out of your pocket!
Should your company institute Environmental Management Standards (ISO 14000, Product Lifecycle Management, SID, etc.)? Will the cost benefit your business?
Should your product conform to the various "Energy Star" and other energy-efficient product programs? How will you manage the 'green' purchasing needs of federal agencies?
Waste
Think of residual waste produced during your development and production processes and at the end of the product's life as something to be eliminated or, at least, minimized. If it can't be eliminated then see how waste may be turned into potential cost offsets or profit. How could you reuse, reclaim or dispose of waste - for profit. Can you recycle the designs and production techniques? What costs are incurred if nothing is done? What about inventory write-offs for old parts and systems? What are the costs of securing recycling partners in various Countries?
Consumer / Environmental health
How will your market share and reputation be enhanced if products are (or are not) in compliance with laws, standards or policies? How will non-hazardous component costs vary over the long term in relation to product lifetime costs? How will the cost of switching to non-hazardous materials, with added supply-chain-management costs, affect your business? What are your suppliers doing? Will potential litigation raise its ugly head if certain compliance is neglected? What are the consumer and environmental protection trends within your markets?
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©2010, Richard M. Haney
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