303
© The Author(s) 2016
R. Clift, A. Druckman (eds.), Taking Stock of Industrial Ecology,
DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-20571-7_16
Chapter 16
Practical Implications of Product-Based
Environmental Legislation
Kieren Mayers
Abstract A number of approaches to industrial ecology are now employed within
environmental legislation, targeting products at various stages of their life-cycle.
These require producers to reduce the hazardous substances content of their products during production, increase product energy effi ciency during use, and organise
and fi nance improved recycling and treatment of their products at end of life
(Extended Producer Responsibility, or ‘EPR’). Such requirements are increasingly
commonplace in the Americas, Eurasia, and Pacifi c Rim countries and have substantial impact. If companies can’t comply, then they can’t sell their products. There
appears to be little research on the practical steps producers have taken to manage
compliance with this new-wave of product-based requirements, as compared to the
more established areas of environmental management addressing site-based air and
water emissions, resource and energy use, and waste management. Based on a number of case studies, this chapter explains how such product-based legislation operates in practice.
Keywords Environmental legislation • Environmental management • Extended
producer responsibility • Industrial ecology • Product-based legislation • Risk management • Supplier commitment
1 Introduction
Environmental legislation is increasingly targeting various stages of the product
life-cycle. There are a widening range of restrictions on hazardous substances in
different types of products globally, covering an increasing number of substances in
their scope. To ensure their products comply, producers can ask the suppliers to
commit to and sign declarations of compliance , audit production facilities, and
K. Mayers (*)
INSEAD Social Innovation Center, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe ,
10 Great Marlborough Street , London W1F 7LP , UK
e-mail: kieren_mayers@scee.net
© The Author(s) 2016
R. Clift, A. Druckman (eds.), Taking Stock of Industrial Ecology,
DOI 10.1007/978-3-319-20571-7_16
Chapter 16
Practical Implications of Product-Based
Environmental Legislation
Kieren Mayers
Abstract A number of approaches to industrial ecology are now employed within
environmental legislation, targeting products at various stages of their life-cycle.
These require producers to reduce the hazardous substances content of their products during production, increase product energy effi ciency during use, and organise
and fi nance improved recycling and treatment of their products at end of life
(Extended Producer Responsibility, or ‘EPR’). Such requirements are increasingly
commonplace in the Americas, Eurasia, and Pacifi c Rim countries and have substantial impact. If companies can’t comply, then they can’t sell their products. There
appears to be little research on the practical steps producers have taken to manage
compliance with this new-wave of product-based requirements, as compared to the
more established areas of environmental management addressing site-based air and
water emissions, resource and energy use, and waste management. Based on a number of case studies, this chapter explains how such product-based legislation operates in practice.
Keywords Environmental legislation • Environmental management • Extended
producer responsibility • Industrial ecology • Product-based legislation • Risk management • Supplier commitment
1 Introduction
Environmental legislation is increasingly targeting various stages of the product
life-cycle. There are a widening range of restrictions on hazardous substances in
different types of products globally, covering an increasing number of substances in
their scope. To ensure their products comply, producers can ask the suppliers to
commit to and sign declarations of compliance , audit production facilities, and
K. Mayers (*)
INSEAD Social Innovation Center, Sony Computer Entertainment Europe ,
10 Great Marlborough Street , London W1F 7LP , UK
e-mail: kieren_mayers@scee.net