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2 Five Steps to Eco Design // If you choose to report on the environmental performance of your product, there are number of well-respected eco labels against which you can report (Figure 1). Some, such as the Carbon Trust's product carbon footprint product label (measured according to Publicly Available Specification (PAS) 2050), require you to calculate and report on the potential environmental impacts of your product, but do not set any minimum performance requirements. (However, applying the Carbon Trust label does at least commit you to reducing that footprint over the next two years.) Other standards, such as Electronic Product Assessment Label (EPEAT) for IT equipment or the European Blue Angel mark, set minimum performance targets that must be satisfied and verified before you can apply the label. Customers expect to see companies acting in a socially responsible way. International Organization for Standardization guidelines introduced over the last two decade exist to provide strandards for companies to establish, document, and maintain eco design. Companies must align themselves with these goals or risk becoming ostracized by a discerning public. This is an evolving target. Recently the London Declaration, approved in September 2021, outlines ISO's commitments to achieving emission reduction goals by 2050. B. Legislation on Energy and Hazardous Substances The introduction of environmental legislation is probably the most common driver for companies to initiate eco design activities. The Integrated Product Policy, adopted in 2003, has given rise to a number of significant pieces of product-focused environmental legislation that affect many types of products sold within the European Union (EU). Table 2 gives other examples f rom across the U.S., Asia, and Europe. As well as government laws and regulations, industry associations and NGOs are introducing standards, policies, and substance watch lists in an effort either to influence regulatory f ramework or help companies keep track of a complex, globalized picture. The challenge is not just one of geographical range; these legislations, regulations, and standards now cover the entire life cycle of the product, f rom the substances that go into its manufacture to the way that it is managed at the end of its useful life. Life cycle energy consumption of the product EU Energy-related Products (ErP) Directive Grenelle 2 regulations in France Use of hazardous/restricted substances EU Registration Evaluation & Authorisation of Chemicals (REACH) Directive California Green Chemistry Initiative (e.g. EOL for auto/aero) EU Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive China RoHS Norwegian PoHS US Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) US Dodd-Frank Act Use of batteries EU Batteries Directive End-of-life strategy for the product EU Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive Japanese Household Appliance Recycling Law (HARL) EU End of Life Vehicles (ELV) Directive Table 2: Examples of issues now affected by legislation. Figure 1: A range of eco labels

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