313
cled, potentially with a net value. This approach is already in place in France for
packaging and WEEE, using a system of differentiated fees.
While EPR was developed with good motives, in practice its implementation is
both administratively and logistically complex, and to date the main purpose to
incentivise design is largely unfulfi lled.
5 Discussion and Conclusion
Looking back, site-based approaches to environmental management, developed
since mid-seventies, focus on treating environmental problems at ‘end of pipe’.
Education in environmental management and sciences from this time focussed
mainly on environmental problems and their causes, environmental protection legislation, environmental management systems, air and water monitoring, water treatment and air pollution control, waste management, and resource and energy use.
Such knowledge is important in managing and reducing the environmental impact
of any particular industrial operation.
Looking forward, managing environmental impacts of the life-cycle of products
from raw material extraction to end-of-life involves altogether different issues,
requiring additional skills from environmental and ‘sustainability’ managers. In
addition to a basis of understanding of current environmental issues, sociology, ethics, economics, and sustainable development, risk assessment and management , and
life-cycle assessment methods, further expertise is essential as listed below:
• Managing hazardous substances in supply chains:
– Substance compliance regulations
– Materials usage and engineering
– Product testing and chemical analysis
– Supply chain management
– Stock control and auditing
• Ensuring energy effi ciency of products:
– Energy effi ciency legislation
– Product development and engineering
– Government relations and stakeholder engagement
– International standardisation processes
– Consumer behaviour and market research
– Product testing and power measurement
• Implementing EPR for wastes:
– EPR legislation
– Contract management for PROs
– Recycling standards and technologies
– Company accounting systems such as SAP to report sales volumes
16 Practical Implications of Product-Based Environmental Legislation
cled, potentially with a net value. This approach is already in place in France for
packaging and WEEE, using a system of differentiated fees.
While EPR was developed with good motives, in practice its implementation is
both administratively and logistically complex, and to date the main purpose to
incentivise design is largely unfulfi lled.
5 Discussion and Conclusion
Looking back, site-based approaches to environmental management, developed
since mid-seventies, focus on treating environmental problems at ‘end of pipe’.
Education in environmental management and sciences from this time focussed
mainly on environmental problems and their causes, environmental protection legislation, environmental management systems, air and water monitoring, water treatment and air pollution control, waste management, and resource and energy use.
Such knowledge is important in managing and reducing the environmental impact
of any particular industrial operation.
Looking forward, managing environmental impacts of the life-cycle of products
from raw material extraction to end-of-life involves altogether different issues,
requiring additional skills from environmental and ‘sustainability’ managers. In
addition to a basis of understanding of current environmental issues, sociology, ethics, economics, and sustainable development, risk assessment and management , and
life-cycle assessment methods, further expertise is essential as listed below:
• Managing hazardous substances in supply chains:
– Substance compliance regulations
– Materials usage and engineering
– Product testing and chemical analysis
– Supply chain management
– Stock control and auditing
• Ensuring energy effi ciency of products:
– Energy effi ciency legislation
– Product development and engineering
– Government relations and stakeholder engagement
– International standardisation processes
– Consumer behaviour and market research
– Product testing and power measurement
• Implementing EPR for wastes:
– EPR legislation
– Contract management for PROs
– Recycling standards and technologies
– Company accounting systems such as SAP to report sales volumes
16 Practical Implications of Product-Based Environmental Legislation