New paths to competitive advantage
Design and common sense
Ericsson Diax works concertedly with environmentally sound development and design of products for the telecommunication sector.
"Some of the work is very banal. For example, our cooperation with the electronic waste recycling company Electromiljø has shown that it is not always smart that we screw components together. If we instead use clips, a light blow with a hammer will separate the product in plastic parts and printed circuit boards, which can then be recycled. Valuable metals can be obtained from printed circuit boards if they are processed properly," says Quality and Environmental Manager Jens Villadsen.
The small steps
The enterprise was originally established by Bang & Olufsen, but was sold to Ericsson in 1999. It does not have a production line, but solely works with development and design. In 2000, Ericsson Diax introduced ISO 14001, and this has provided a good overview of the environmental impact of the enterprise's activities. Jens Villadsen believes that one can come a long way with small steps, however.
"Much of it is simply a matter of common sense, where we think more carefully early in the development phase. Within Ericsson, we use a list of substances that we should try to avoid because they are unlawful or undesirable, and we work hard to reduce product energy consumption. Much of this does not actually entail extra costs. It is more a matter of remembering to incorporate this line of thinking in our work," says Jens Villadsen.
The enterprise's suppliers also notice the interest in the environmental aspects. For example, they have been given a list so that they can see what they must avoid including in the products.
Japan and Scandinavia
"We want to be at the forefront of development, and we would like to be able to tell a good story about our products. Our sales personnel therefore provide customers with information material telling about our environmental work. For the staff, working on improving the products' environmental properties is extremely motivating," says Jens Villadsen.
Jens Villadsen does not think that one can talk about a green wave yet. In the USA, there is not much interest in environmentfriendly telecommunication products. In Scandinavia and Japan in particular, however, telecommunication companies are now starting to show interest in environmental aspects. For example,Telia demands that the products do not contain a number of chemical substances. Ericsson eventually expects there to be commercial possibilities in the development and design of cleaner electronic products.
Ericsson Diax has received support from the Cleaner Technology Programme on three occasions - for the development of an environmental management system, for environmentally sound product design and for replacing undesirable materials and substances in the products.
"The support has meant that part of the cost of these projects has been covered, but it has also meant that we have felt that our work has been acknowledged - and hence has increased our motivation to continue," concludes Jens Villadsen.
Ericsson Diax A/S, Struer, 230 employees.
EMAS EMAS - the EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme - is voluntary and is directed at all types of enterprise. The scheme was adopted by the EU Commission in 1993. The first Danish enterprises were registered two years later. Originally, EMAS was directed at industrial enterprises. The scheme has since been revised, however, and is now open to all types of enterprise, including service enterprises and public enterprises. Environmental management according to EMAS entails that the
enterprise: Carries out an initial environmental review Continually improves its environmental work over and above minimum
legal requirements Draws up an environmental policy and goals for the environmental
work Publishes an annual environmental report Actively involves employees in the work. Read more at: www.europa.eu.int/comm/environment/emas ISO 14001 The international standard for environmental management - ISO 14001 - was launched in 1996. The standard is now the dominant environmental management standard worldwide. An environmental management system under ISO 14001 revolves around the enterprise, its processes and activities. With ISO 14001, responsibilities are distributed, and the routine environmental tasks are described. ISO 14001 stipulates requirements within the following areas:
ISO 14001 closely resembles EMAS, but the requirements stipulated are not as comprehensive. Read more at: www.iso.ch |
