A simple tool to facilitate design for the environment at Apple computer

At Apple Computer, environmental goals are driven by the value added to the firm in the form of market access, risk or cost reduction and brand enhancement. For product design, these goals are embodied in a complex array of ever-changing regulations, ecolabel specifications, reference standards and corporate objectives. Recent experience has shown that aside from participation in core product development process, DfE staff must intersect with a variety of decision-makers who can predetermine the environmental performance of products. A simple database tool, the Apple Product Environmental Specification (APES), has been developed which manages environmental product information in alignment with these organizational issues at Apple. Using this tool, customized input can be given to suppliers, procurement managers, engineers, marketing managers and technical specialists. Other key features of the system include (1) direct tie between technical specifications and the environmental goals they support and (2) a tiered structure to support phase in of changing standards.