ECD (Environmentally Conscious Design)

• EUP Directive
• Medical Equipment (IEC 60601-1-9
• IT and Communication Equipment (IEC 62075)
• IEC 62430

The environmental impact of Electronic Products and Systems is drawing increased public and regulatory awareness, with a rapid introduction of environmental legislation around the world. ECD involves designing products with consideration for the environmental impact of specific environmental aspects. This may include characteristics of the finished product as well as environmental impacts from the product realization process. Full Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) that consider cradle to grave environmental impacts such as raw material extraction, manufacturing, transportation, product use, and end-of-life management is still very complex. Many producers are focusing their efforts on specific environmental aspects to address regulatory and customer requirements and market opportunities. Common ECD elements:

• Elimination of hazardous substances (e.g. RoHS, REACH)
• Carbon Footprint pf Product (CFP) and facility GHG emissions
• End-of-life management (e.g. WEEE)
• Resource Usage
• Energy efficiency (e.g. Energy Star and EuP/ErP)
• Packaging and Batteries

ECD is gaining widespread adoption from the electronics industry and its supply base. This is to ensure compliance with regulatory and customer requirements and, in a growing number of cases, to proactively reduce the environmental footprint of their products and operations.

 

The European EcoDesign Directive (EuP/ErP) is prominent example of legislation with a broad ecodesign framework.  Its current focus is energy efficiency expanding to additional environmental aspects in the future.

 

International ECD Standards have emerged for several product categories including:

Electrical & Electronic Equipment (IEC 62430)

Medical Equipment (IEC 60601-1-9)

IT and Communication Equipment (IEC 62075)