Meeting OEM customer product environmental performance expectations through environmental product design (EPD) roadmaps and specifications

The emerging Environmental, Health, and Safety (EH&S) paradigm is characterized by an international shift in focus from prescriptive to indirect (market-based) regulatory tactics. To both survive and excel in this challenging environment, Quantum Corporation, a leading manufacturer and supplier of storage devices to worldwide computer OEMs (original equipment manufacturers), is developing new relationships with both its customers and suppliers. This paper describes Quantum Corporation's development of an Environmental Product Design (EPD) Program to align long-term customer and supplier product development goals. This paper also describes Quantum's approach to managing the use of restricted substances in Quantum products, and a discussion of the evolving internal and external relationships necessary for EPD Program success.