Design for the Environment (DfE): Electronics Partnership Projects

According to the U.S. EPA web site, “The Design for the Environment (DfE) Program works in partnership with a broad range of stakeholders to reduce risk to people and the environment by preventing pollution. DfE focuses on industries that combine the potential for chemical risk reduction and improvements in energy efficiency with a strong motivation to make lasting, positive changes. DfE convenes partners, including industry representatives and environmental groups, to develop goals and guide the work of the partnership. Partnership projects evaluate the human health and environmental considerations, performance, and cost of traditional and alternative technologies, materials, and processes. As incentives for participation and driving change, DfE offers unique technical tools, methodologies, and expertise.”

The DfE Program has produced several partnership projects related to electronics. Past projects include the Printed Wiring Board Partnership and the Computer Display Partnership. Current partnerships include the Lead-Free Solder Partnership, the Wire & Cable Partnership and the Flame Retardants in Printed Circuit Boards Partnership. Each project site includes general project information, project milestones, links to any publications produced and a list of the partners involved.

The comment period for the draft report, Partnership to Evaluate Flame Retardants in Printed Circuit Boards, has ended. This report contains a summary of the environmental and human health attributes of selected flame retardants used in printed circuit board; the Flame Retardants partnership is currently working on reviewing the comments it received. The draft version of that document (not for distribution or citation) can be accessed on the Flame Retardant in Printed Circuit Boards Partnership site.

All of the other partnerships mentioned above have final fact sheets and technical reports (including Life Cycle Analyses in some cases) available on the specific partnership page or on the main DfE Publications list.

For more information on the Design for Environment Program, visit the program web site.

Leave a Reply