1996 Electronics Industry Environmental Roadmap - Civil and ...

Design for Environment: Evolution and Tool Needs
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General Compatibility: Tool is compatible with ISO 9000 and tool is compatible with
concurrent engineering design and management approaches (both features tied for top
ranking in this category);
Environmental Results Generated: Tool provides relative environmental desirability
ranking or ratings of materials/process selection and tool is able to evaluate recyclability
(both features tied for top ranking in this category).
4.4 Observations of the Current State of DFE
Although respondents consistently cited customer requirements and current or anticipated legislation
as the primary drivers to DFE, the respective companies differed in the level and type of
DFE activities undertaken. Despite this varied state of development, some common issues in
DFE development were identified. These challenges to the evolution of DFE will be grouped
into those related to DFE metrics, DFE analysis methods, and general organizational (company)
structures.
4.4.1 DFE Metrics
Even if complete material- and energy-use tracking is possible for an electronic product, DFE is
not a simple exercise. Comparing different parts or the use of different materials invariably
results in the comparison of environmental profiles (trade-offs). One material may be more
energy efficient while another is more readily recycled. One manufacturing process may result in
more air emissions than one that uses more water. Determining which environmental trade-off is
more preferable involves value judgments, yet stating that it is impossible to select greener
choices avoids the issue of DFE metrics and provides little value to a designer making choices.
A number of companies responding to the survey have developed metrics to characterize the
environmental performance of products or processes. These metrics make the job of the designer
more straightforward, but they are inherently dependent upon subjective values. An alternative
approach is to identify a set of environmental stressors (e.g., electricity use, carbon dioxide
emissions, copper and other material use, energy, and waste/emissions). The amount of each
stressor associated with a part or a material can be tracked and individual companies are then free
to assign their own weights to each stressor category to arrive at a composite green index.
The most pressing challenge facing the development of DFE activities in the design of electronic
products is the development of standardized tracking systems that will allow DFE metrics to be
consistently evaluated. There are a number of tools that can contribute to the solution of this
problem, but none have gained enthusiastic support. For example, a variety of LCA databases
and software tools are available that enable material and energy tracking from raw material
acquisition to final product disposal. Unfortunately for the design of electronic products, the
databases currently available tend to focus on commodity materials rather than the specialty
materials that are frequently employed in the manufacture of electronic products.
4.4.2 DFE Analysis Methods
DFE activities occur at a variety of stages in product development, which calls for a range of
analysis tools for the particular activities. For example, in the concept development stage, a
number of companies use DFE checklists; in the simulation and physical design stages, several