Sustainable products 41
Background data and assumptions made for an LCA on creosote poles: www.ivl.sewebdavfilesB-
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. •
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42 Sustainable products
4.5 Metrics
The number of quantitative parameters that can be provided by LCA analysis is huge. The problem is to identify a subset of them allowing comparisons between different generations of the same CPE in order to
measure the actual environmental improvement of a new solution in comparison to the older one.
The following short list of resource usageenvironmental emissions parameters should be evaluated, considering that ICT products share certain characteristics that are related to their inherent materials,
manufacturing processes, and energy used. These parameters produce life cycle inventory results that are most relevant in terms of overall quantity and can be then suggested as a basic set of parameters for
performing LCA-like comparative analyses.
• gross
energy •
CO
2
• NO
x
• SO
x
• N
2
O •
NH
3
• CFC
• HCFC
• particulate
matters In the assessment phase, the following mid-point environmental impact assessment categories can be
evaluated on the basis of the inventory data mentioned: •
global warming potential GWP; •
ozone depletion potential ODP; •
acidification potential AP; •
nitrification potential NP; •
human toxicity, cancer effects HTC; •
human toxicity non-cancer effects HTNC; •
respiratory inorganicsparticulate matter RIPM; •
ionizing radiation, human health IRH; •
ionizing radiation, ecosystems IRE; •
eutrophication, aquatic EA; •
eutrophication, terrestrial
ET; •
photochemical ozone formation POF; •
ecotoxicity, freshwater
ETFW; •
land use LU; •
resource depletion, water RDW; •
resource depletion, mineral, fossil, and renewable RDMR.
Sustainable products 43
The LCA practitioner should decide which mid-point impact categories to consider and how to calculate them, based on the studied ICT product system and the purpose of the LCA study. For further information
on determining and assessing these mid-point impact categories, refer to the European Commission Joint Research Centre 2011 International Reference Life Cycle Data System ILCD Handbook: “Framework and
Requirements for Life Cycle Impact Assessment Models and Indicators”; 1st edition; Dictus Publishing 17 June 2011.
5 Checklists
An eco-design checklist can assist designers with considering eco-design requirements and guidance during the product’s development. The design checklist is intended solely for use of the designer. It is not intended
to document environmental features for end users or to be used by end users to compare products. It is usually not needed for products in the research phase of development. It can provide:
• verification of completeness of the eco-design process and its requirements;
• record for quality e.g. ISO 9001, TL9000 and for Environmental Management Systems ISO 14000,
EMAS 18000; •
basis for establishing product design objectives and targets and in evaluating eco-performance of a products.
It is generally recognized that ICT products cover a wide range of eco-attributes. For this reason, it is not possible to provide a unique checklist for every type of ICT product or familygroup of products. Designers
should generate a design checklist based on the design requirements of this document and also standards referenced within this document such as ECMA-341, and through other reference material and technical
reports that will accurately reflect their specific product or family of products.
Based on the material above, a template can be constructed for a checklist that ensures that environmentally conscious design is being practiced in an ICT organization.
5.1 Best environmental practices – general
The material in this checklist refers to sections 2.1.3 and 3.1.3. For the environmentally conscious design of ICT products, has consideration been given to the following?
• Ensure sustainability of resources.
• Ensure inputs and outputs in the product life cycle do not cause environmental degradation or
adversely affect human health. •
Minimize environmental impacts as early as possible in the product design and development process. •
Minimize material and energy use and maximize reuse and recycling. •
Evaluate the outlook on future changes in product related eco-design requirements e.g. a product eco- roadmap.
• Balance conflicting requirements if any.
• Identify the latest environmental related legal and market requirements.
• Give priority to those aspects that can be substantially influenced through product design and are
identified as major environmental impacts.
