Implementing DFE through a product-based environmental management system

Lucent Technologies' (Lucent's) wireless business unit, Mobility Solutions, has developed, implemented and maintains a Product-Based Environmental Management System (PBEMS) which applies Design for Environment (DFE) principles to wireless hardware products worldwide. The PBEMS conforms to the requirements of the ISO 14001 international standard and has received third-party certification. Eco-environmental considerations, which include environmentally relevant product features such as energy consumption, have become an important and dynamic factor in international regulatory and customer requirements. The integration of DFE concepts with product realization processes has become critical. The PBEMS provides a formalized structure for managing significant product-related environmental aspects and improving the environmental performance of hardware products throughout the products lifecycle. The PBEMS is structured to facilitate integration of eco-environmental considerations into strategic business decisions, product evolution planning and product development.