The problem

Currently, life-cycle assessment studies (LCA) are used to gauge the environmental performance of electronic products. These studies are often time and cost-intensive, and existing indicators are often based on single impact indicators, such as CO₂ emissions. Expertise of LCA, indicators, technical specifications and design of ICT products is broadly distributed among academia, consultants, industry experts and designers. There is a pressing need to consolidate this disparate expertise and know-how.

Overview:

EPIC-ICT will determine environmental performance indicators for information and communication technology (ICT) products, focusing on PCs. These indicators will relate to easy to define product properties, such as power demand. EPIC will:

• Consider all life cycle phases and relevant environmental impacts
• Contribute to the reduction of environmental impact of ICT equipment
• Establish a basis for a future directive on EUP
• Contribute to the Kyoto Protocol and the EU’s Sixth Environment Action Programme
• Consider the viewpoints of regulators, manufacturers, environmental NGOs and other stakeholders

Contribution to policy development:

• Contribute to the reduction in the environmental impact of ICT products as foreseen in the Integrated Product Policy (IPP), thereby promoting sustainability
• Assist industries trying to promote the environmental credentials of their products, either with labels or an environmental product declaration (EPD)
• Establish a practical basis for a future directive on EUP
• Contribute to the Kyoto Protocol and the Sixth Environment Action Programme

Project deliverables

• Life Cycle Assessment of PCs and definition of ICT life cycle product properties – Month 5
• Mid-term progress report – Month 8
• Environmental evaluation using generic modules – Month 12
• Final Report – Month 17

Dissemination

• Website – Month 4 and ongoing
• Newsletter – Twice-yearly
• Workshops – Month 5 and Month 14
• Industry partners are linked to national and international trade associations and may facilitate the transfer of project results towards future standards

Technical information

Project acronym: EPIC-ICT
Project’s official full title: Assessment of the impact on the environment of selected electrical and electronic equipment
Research priority: 1.5. Environmental assessment (soil, water, air, noise, including the effects of chemical substances)
Specific webpage: Not available
Proposal/contract no: 513673
Start date: Not available
Kick off meeting: Not available
Completion date: Month 18
European Commission scientific officer: Not available

Coordinator:
Name: IKP Universität Stuttgart
Abbreviated name: IKP
Address: Universität Stuttgart
Country: DE
Tel: +49 (0)711 121 0
Fax: +49 (0)711 121 2271
Website: http://www.uni-stuttgart.de/

Partners

Name: Motorola GmbH
Abbreviated name: MOT
Country: Germany

Name: Philips CFT
Abbreviated name: PHILIPS
Country: Netherlands

Name: Ambiente Italia srl
Abbreviated name: AMBIT
Country: Italy

Name: Dell Product Europe BV
Abbreviated name: DELL
Country: Ireland

Name: PE Europe GmbH
Abbreviated name: PE
Country: Germany

Name: Motorola GmbH
Abbreviated name: MOT
Country: Germany