Application of a comprehensive Product Environmental Profile system to design for the environment

This paper discusses IBM's integration of its design for the environment (DFE) rating assessment program into its Lotus Notes-based Product Environmental Profile (PEP) system. IBM has measured progress in improving the environmental performance of products through a system of DFE rating assessments on new products. This system was integrated into the new online Product Environmental Profile System. This paper discusses how IBM has historically performed DFE rating assessments, describes the development of the Lotus Notes PEP database, and discuss how IBM integrated its DFE assessment process into the PEP system and some of the resulting benefits of this integration.