Sensor-based data recording of use conditions for product takeback

Information on product properties and the history of product use are essential for higher levels of product recovery like the reuse of components or remanufacturing. These product recovery options are economically more attractive than materials recycling. In this paper, the ISPR (Information System for Product Recovery) is proposed. Its key component is an electronic device, the so-called EDL (Electronic Data Log), which is integrated in a product to record and store data strongly correlated with the degradation of components during the use stage of a product. The data recorded and processed during the use stage are retrieved and analyzed by the ISPR when the product is returned. The objectives for the development of the EDL, its implementation and its economical efficiency are discussed in detail.