Aplinkos tyrimai, inžinerija ir vadyba, 2006.Nr.3(37), P.

43-51 ISSN 1392-1649

Environmental research, engineering and management, 2006.No.3(37), P.43-51

Eco-design Methodology for Electrical and Electronic Equipment

Industry

Inga Gurauskienė, Visvaldas Varžinskas

Institute of Environmental Engineering, Kaunas University of Technology

(received in July, 2006; accepted in September, 2006)

Electric and electronic equipment (EEE) industry is one of the largest and the fastest growing domain in
the manufacturing industry. The number and total weight of electronic components and equipment in use
become so high that make electronics comparable with the other much "heavier" industries (from
environmental perspective). The EEE sector makes a significant environmental impact on all stages of the
product life cycle: extraction and use of raw materials, consumption of energy and other resources in
production and product use, and eventually waste from EEE. Eco-design as one of the most effective
environmental prevention tool is analysed in this paper. Eco-design is a systematic incorporation of
environmental aspects into the product design and development for improvement of product environmental
characteristics. An integrated model for systematic use of different environmental improvement methods for
development of new products has been developed taking into account main drivers for Eco-design in EEE
industry. The results of the electricity meter Eco-design project are presented to demonstrate the effectiveness
of the developed methodology.
Key words: eco-design, electrical and electronic equipment, life cycle.

1. Introduction

Implementation of environmental requirements cycle. In other words, eco-designed products have to

into product development is important from both consume as few resources as possible and to reduce
environmental and business perspectives. The most impacts on the environment, to improve overall
directly achieved benefit is reduction in performance and to enable companies to market them
environmental impacts from the increased levels of and get revenues. Overall, eco-design should lead to
consumption, in other words the mitigation of causes more sustainable production and consumption [2].
of environmental problems at global and local level. Eco-design is based on the concept of a product life
Eco-design (also design for the environment, life cycle. The product life cycle starts with resources
cycle design, environmentally-conscious design) is a taken from nature, goes on to the production of
systematic methodology that incorporates materials and manufacturing processes, packaging
environmental considerations into the design process and transport, the use and maintenance of a product
of products. The main purpose of eco-design is to and finally concludes at the end-of-life stage. The
develop goods and services leading to sustainability term “life cycle thinking” refers to the integrated
by reducing products’ environmental burdens approach that has to be applied with the aim of
throughout the whole life cycle, while taking into designing more environmentally sound products [7]
account the other conventional product and customer The production of electrical and electronic
requirements such as functionality, quality, safety, equipment (EEE) is one of the fastest growing
cost, manufacturability, ergonomics and aesthetics. domains of manufacturing industry in the Western
Eco-design considers environmental aspects at all world. The number and weight of electronic
stages of the product development process, striving components and equipment in use become so high
for products which make the lowest possible that make electronics comparable with other much
environmental impact throughout the product life "heavier" industries. The electronics sector is
 I. Gurauskienė, V. Varžinskas

characterized by a constant change and 'speed of from a life-cycle perspective is energy consumption
change', be it in technology, corporate restructuring or during their use [4]. The other environmental issues
in staffing. In addition, there are also high levels of for EEE include the impact of materials used in
innovation, e.g. Moore’s law of electronics predicts manufacturing and product waste at the end of the
that a new generation of products will appear every 18 item’s useful life. A number of materials in these
months [3]. It is accounted that the EEE world products are banned, such as polychlorinated biphenyl
industry entirety value is 1 trillion American dollars in fridges. Manufacturers of EEE are also under
and it tends to grow on the average 7-8 % per year. increasing pressure from regulatory bodies through
There are produced about 21 million tons of EEE in the world to take responsibility for these products
the world every year. The electronics sector is subject when they become waste. The strategies to reduce
to an increasing number and range product-related waste include increasing the product’s durability and
environmental pressures (waste, raw material and designing for disassembly and recycling [4].
consumption of electricity). In 1988, the amount of The investigation of applying eco-design in
electronic equipment reaching end-of-life was 6 Lithuanian industry has been carried out in the
million tons and is expected to double in 2010 [1]. framework of the project “Transfer of Knowledge in
This means that about 20% of the municipal waste the Field of Eco-design”. The main objectives of the
stream will be related to WEEE (Waste Electrical and study were to make analysis of eco-design situation in
Electronic Equipment) [18]. Lithuania [13], to create an integrated model for
Lithuanian EEE sector consists of 250 systematic use of different tools for the environmental
producers, 800 importers and 2,000 retailers. The product development and to apply this model to the
greatest outputs of WEEE go from two EEE process of creation of new products in Lithuanian
categories (according to the WEEE Directive): (the industry. [8]
4th) Consumer equipment and (the 9th) Monitoring The main results and experience from this
and control instruments [20]. project are presented in this paper.
Environmental considerations in production and
product development are becoming increasingly
important in the consumer electronics industry due to 2. Main drivers for eco-design in EEE industry
legislative pressure, cost savings and emerging green
markets. This is apparent from the widespread As shown in Table 1 [5], the benefits of
integration of eco-design into this business [6]. The environmental awareness in the design process may
EEE encompasses a vast range of goods, from be material, immaterial, and emotional and may
computers to refrigerators. As a rule, the most influence the producing company, the customer using
significant environmental impact of these products the company's product, and the society as a whole.

Table 1. The benefit matrix [5]

Company Customer Society
Material Cost reduction Lower cost of ownership Use of fewer resources
Immaterial Easier to produce; Easier to sell Easier to use Better compliance
Emotional Better image Feeling good, Quality of life We make progress in green

There are increasing legal and market drivers for components and materials; assures that
electronics producers to improve the environmental design features or manufacturing processes
performance of their products. do not hinder reuse;
In accordance to the EEE industry features and − Directive (2002/95/EC) on the Restriction of
benefit of eco-design, the core drivers could be the the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in
following: Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS).
1. Legal requirements and standards [19] are one RoHS stimulates the trend towards material
of the most important drivers for consideration declarations; material bans are a supply chain
of environmental aspects in products. The EU issue. Both supplier and producer have to
waste management (end-of-life) regulations are know their products from the perspective of
in force. The WEEE, RoHS, EuP Directives materials;
coupled with national electronics ‘producer − Directive (2005/32/EB) on Establishing a
responsibility’ laws in Europe all place an Framework for the Setting of Eco-design
increased emphasis on the need for companies to Requirements for Energy Using Products
develop strategies to manage 'take-back' and (EuP). The EuP Directive requires producers
eco-design. to evaluate ecological profiles and designs
− Directive (2002/96/EC) on Waste Electrical before placing their products on the market
and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) (CE market).
encourages design and production of EEE 2. Market /Green customers. There is an increasing
with respect to easy dismantling and awareness of environmental issues amongst
recovery, to ensure long–life-term; certain personal, ‘business to business’ and
stimulates reuse and recycling of WEEE, governmental customers. The companies that

44
 Eco-design Methodology for Electrical and Electronic Equipment Industry

export to the countries with high environmental visual properties, lifetime, or its special features. At
requirements need to take into account the the final stage, a resulting product concept requires
legislation and other requirements of products’ the detailed specification of all the above mentioned
environmental quality in the export markets. aspects as well as all production-related issues. This
3. Corporate responsibility. Many companies are includes elaboration of documentation, which
now realizing the complex linkages among describes technical aspects of the product, ergonomic
corporate reputation, brand value and social, and functional features required by customers and
financial and environmental performance. also the economic aspects of production and product
4. Supply chains. A range of groups are becoming marketing.
increasingly interested in the “world behind the Detailing of the product is a systematic process
brands” and the importance of understanding the that requires close cooperation between all company
sustainability issues in supply chains and often departments involved in the product development. In
in outsourced manufacturing. its interphase this process may result in development
of several product alternatives that are compared and
The main drivers have been mentioned, the other evaluated. The final selection of the most feasible
drivers do not act as significant aspects - they are alternative is made in accordance with the company
much more interested in environmental politics [2]. decision-making system. To ensure the proper way of
applying different tools for a product environmental
analysis or product development process, the
3. Adaptation of Eco-design methodology to systematic approach must be applied and a model for
EEE industry systematic use of different tools for the environmental
product development created. This model (Fig. 1)
As the company goes through an eco-design helps obtain the maximum environmental
project, there is an increasing demand for more performance in the product development process with
detailed and specific information. In the early eco- minimum costs.
design project stages new product design concepts
start with a basic idea on the product function, its

SWOT analysis,
Eco-design strategies
questionnaire.

Guidelines for eco- Environmental

design programs, Project benchmarking,
Technical planning, Tools for the
feasibility Outcomes and organization Plan environmental aspects
Recommendations phase evaluation,
questionnaires.
legal requirements.
Selection of product
Product
evaluation phase
Market System
position
LCA, Ecoindicators ’99,
„Green“ marketing Product Product
MET matrixes.
questionnaires marketing phase environmental
Life cycle cost accounting,
analysis,
Environmental risk
prioritization phase
New product assessment.

Priorities
Product concept
analysis phase Idea
generation
Concept phase
Environmental
performance indicators, Eco-design strategy wheel,
LCA, Ecoindicators ’99, tools for idea generation
Life cycle cost accounting, (“Brain storming” etc.),
Eco-design strategy Prioritization matrixes.
wheel.

Fig. 1. Model for systematic use of different tools for the environmental product development

It is not enough to consider only a physical distribution, use or utilization, end of life system /
product in the environmental analysis. It is essential to final disposal of the product.
incorporate the whole product system (auxiliary In order to set environmental priorities there are
products, consumables, etc.) that is needed to ensure established various qualitative and quantitative
the proper functioning of the product over its total methods for environmental product analysis (Table 2).
lifetime. The product system should also cover all All environmental analysis methods mentioned
phases of life cycle, including production and supply above are based on life cycle thinking, i.e. they
of materials and components, factory production, analyse potential environmental impacts during the

45
 I. Gurauskienė, V. Varžinskas

entire life cycle of the product, from its cradle to strategy is not based on a current product concept, but
grave. provokes the discussion about developing new
product concepts which are highly functional and
Table 2 . Environmental analysis methods environmentally sound.
Qualitative Quantitative
Eco-design checklists Eco-indicator’99
MET matrix Life cycle assessment
Environmental risk (LCA),
assessment, Life cycle cost
Environmental accounting,
benchmarking.

Quantitative environmental analysis is generally

performed when a very detailed evaluation or
environmental prioritization based on the figures are
needed. In addition, it is used when the environmental
benefits of a newly developed product need to be Fig. 2. Eco-design strategy wheel [15]
evaluated and compared with the former product or
other alternative products. Quantitative assessment is
usually based on the life cycle assessment (LCA)
methodology. Sometimes it is sufficient to evaluate 4. Application of Eco-design in Lithuanian
the environmental aspects of a component of the industry
product. In this case, qualitative methods (MET
matrix and Eco-design checklist) are most suitable.
Besides, a great deal of time and money spent on an 4.1. Pilot company and product
extensive quantitative LCA is not worth, if the
analysis is based on a lot of assumptions and ELGAMA ELEKTRONIKA Ltd. specializes in
deviations from the LCA methodology. However, it development and manufacturing of multifunctional
should be noted that “qualitative” assessment cannot static electricity meters. The company is a leading
be accomplished without use of the figures or without manufacturer of electronic electricity meters in the
the required data. [10] Baltic region. The product range varies from
Using the insights gained in the analysis phase as electronic single-phase meters for household
a starting point, next step is to develop the ideas and applications to three-phase multifunctional electricity
proposals on how to improve the reference product, meters and devices for industry and utilities. There is
how to develop a new environmental-sound idea, or a modern line of electronic devices assembly,
eco-efficient service to satisfy customer needs. laboratory for calibration and verification and
Although the previously defined design criteria and department of engineers, researchers and designers,
requirements laid down in the design briefing and who apply the latest technologies for development of
design specifications have to be taken into account, new products and product improvements that satisfy
they should not constrain the “brainstorm” creativity the needs of emerging new markets.
session. The task, somewhat paradoxically, is to let The development of products is a permanent
one’s ideas and imagination run freely without process in the company. That is why an eco-design
forgetting the criteria. There are different approach has been also implemented. Enquiry of the
opportunities and ways to integrate environmental company/project action group shows that basic
aspects into the product design process [12]. The most drivers for implementing eco-design are the
famous classification of these opportunities is defined following: compliance with both environmental
with the eco-design strategy wheel (Fig. 2). It is a legislation and requirements of standards;
conceptual model which shows all the fields of commitment of the company environmental policy to
interest in eco-design, clustered in eight eco-design increase environmental efficiency giving the top
strategies. The strategies are formulated as “decision- priority to the pollution prevention. The main internal
making activities” and are organized in a way to avoid drivers are the following: to reduce the costs, to
the overlap wherever possible. improve the image of the company and products, to
The movement clockwise round the wheel improve the quality of products and to make
describes the improvement options (strategies 1 to 7) innovations.
of a product life cycle, from material selection, Compliance with environmental legislations is
production and use, through to the end-of-life system. the main external driver:
One strategy has been given the symbol “@”1 because − Directive (2002/96/EC) on Waste Electrical and
it is of different nature to the other strategies. This Electronic Equipment (WEEE);
− Directive (2002/95/EC) on the Restriction of the
Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in
1
Symbol “@” refers to the Internet electronic mailing Electrical and Electronic Equipment (RoHS);
system – a highly innovative system, functionally and
environmentally.

46
 Eco-design Methodology for Electrical and Electronic Equipment Industry

− Directive (2005/32/EB) on Establishing a functional unit is one electrical electricity meter EMS.
Framework for the Setting of Eco-design The meter is analysed at all stages of its production,
Requirements for Energy Using Products (EuP). handling and disposal.
18
A selected product is a three-phase electronic 16
electricity meter EMS, intended for use in household, 16

commerce and textile industry (Eco-design 14

improvements are planned to be used for the other 12
product configurations). 10
The meters collect electrical energy data for up
8

Pt
to four tariff periods per day, also providing
maximum demand registration and load profiling 6

upon request. Directly connectable and transformer 4

operated meter modifications are available. The EMS 2
1,4
-0,24
meters can be configured for measuring either active 0
energy or both active and reactive energy. Other Production Use Disposal
-2
characteristics: internal real-time clock and calendar
LC phases
with a battery backup; optical and electrical
communication interfaces for data reading and meter
Fig.3. Environmental impact of all the life cycle
programming; liquid crystal display with 8 digits for (production, use and disposal)
displaying metering values; prevention of
unauthorized actions (e.g. registration of external In the result of environmental impact
magnetic field influence, registration of openings of calculations (Fig. 3), all the life cycle consists of 17
meter cover, etc.). points: a production stage – 1.4 Pt, a usage stage - 16
The screen (2 plates of zinc coated steel) of an Pts (Fig. 3); consumption of electricity energy (631
electricity meter is covered by clear cowl of kWh per 30 years) for the equipment operation. In
polycarbonate (stabilized with ultraviolet ray) - it comparison with other electrical and electronical
protects under the external mechanical influence and equipment that is a very small amount considering the
under water. Cowl and cops are fixed with screws and period of 30 years. On the other hand, the function of
covered by lead. There is a printed circuit board with an electricity meter is to collect the electrical energy
all electronic components inside of an electricity data and to economize on energy consumption in time
meter. The measurements of the EE meter are: 328 x of day and year. Electricity consumption was not
178 x 58 mm. The weight is under 1.5 kg. considered as an environmental aspect implementing
To improve the product, environmental aspects eco-design, because of the long handling period. This
have to be considered. This product is classified as environmental aspect is more positive than negative,
electrical and electronic equipment (EEE), so there is because of avoiding the usage of raw materials and
a great potential and importance to implement eco- energy for production of a new electricity meter.
design tools [8]. The analysis of the production stage (Fig.4) has
been made evaluating the environmental impact of all
components and assembling processes.
4.2. Environmental product analysis The significant environmental impacts come
from:
The methodology Eco-indicator’99 was used in 1. Screen of the meter (506 mPt): that is steel
order to assess an environmental impact of the meter. production (182 mPt) and zinc coating (324
This life cycle assessment methodology is adapted for mPt);
the eco-design. The Eco-indicator’99 scores are based 2. The case of the meter (345 mPt): production of
on an impact assessment methodology that transforms PC granules (316 mPt), injection moulding (29
the data of an inventory table into damage scores mPt);
which can be aggregated to one single score/ 3. Metal fixing components (188 mPt): lead (109
millipoint (mPt) that expresses the total mPt), screws (79 mPt);
environmental load of a product or process (weight of 4. Electronic components (capacitors, microchips,
materials, emission and electricity energy). The resistances) (195 mPt);
impact on environment is calculated weighing three 5. Wire (70 mPt);
types of damage: human health, ecosystem quality, 6. Brazing with lead solder (44 mPt)
resources. The Eco-indicator’99 is a reliable and
practical tool to measure the consequences of made As the result of the environmental impact
decisions [11]. analysis, the significant environmental aspects can be
The life cycle scheme of the meter is the basics stated:
for calculating Eco-indicators. The scope of the meter − Production (345 mPt) and disposal (2.496 mPt)
life cycle begins from extraction of raw materials and of the meter body;
finishes at utilization of not usable electricity meter. − Production of the screen (506 mPt);
The entire life cycle is approximately 30 years. The − Wires (70 mPt);

47
 I. Gurauskienė, V. Varžinskas

− Metal fixing components (188 mPt); − Consumption of the electricity at the usage stage
(16 000 mPt).

Fig. 4. Environmental impact of production phase

4.3. Electricity meter improvement alternatives electromagnetic influence. If the depth were
increased, there would be no need to use that
Considering the environmental analyses of the part. The screen earthing wires are also
present EE meter, the improvement decisions for avoidable.
electricity meter have been made: - Application of lead free components and solder.
- Material coding - No manuals giving special instructions for
symbols moulded into disposal of hazardous substances. Special
plastic parts in information on disposal of the meter should be
accordance with ISO included in the meter specifications (to take it to
11469. The company the company recycling WEEE).
moulding plastic parts - No PVC stickers. They can be replaced by
is to be informed about the marking polypropylene sheets, printing the information
requirements. by laser.
- Printing of a symbol indicating separate - Metal contacts and screws can be replaced by
collection for electrical and electronic the contacts where the wire is fixed with chips.
equipment consists of the crossed-out wheeled - A manual or Information indicating the
bin. recyclable parts. Recyclable parts could be:
- Reduction of physical dimensions. The plastic body of the meter, cover of the battery,
measurements of the present EE meter are: 328 x clips, strands, contact screws. The amount of raw
178 x 58 mm. (height x width x depth), they materials for producing new components could
meet the requirements of the standards DIN 43 be reduced.
857 – 2 and DIN 43 857 – 4. The planned EE - A fine Pitch SMT assembly line. Producers
meter could be shorter. The depth of the EE replace through hole components by the SMT
meter must be increased on purpose to minimize ones. This decision reduces the amount of
the outside electromagnetic influence. The materials (50-90 %) at an assembly stage of the
weight of plastic parts could be decreased using meter.
less plastic. This objective could be realized if - Redesign of PCB without breaking off parts (less
the thickness of parts were minimized and the waste).
positions of components were optimized.
Moulding of a product (considering viscosity of
material) and strength are the main criteria 4.4. Environmental performance of new electricity
choosing appropriate components ply. meter
- Minimizing of wires. It is possible to avoid using
wires, if all outside contacts would be installed In accordance to the meter environmental
on the printed circuit board (PCB). The wires analysis, the product has been improved without
powering PCB could be replaced by screws impairing its quality. The new product is friendlier to
M3x40 . the environment and guaranties the compliance with
- No meter screen. The function of steel screens is environmental legislations when it experiences:
to protect components from the outside

48
 Eco-design Methodology for Electrical and Electronic Equipment Industry

− Reduction of the case, the amount of used PC 5. Conclusions and recommendations

reduced by 22 %;
− No steel used in a replaced meter screel; 1. The product environmental design is a proactive
− Reduction of wires (~3 meters); approach for integrating cleaner production and
− No PVC stickers used; resource conservation strategies into
− Metal contacts and screws replaced by wires development of more environmentally and
fixed with chips; economically sustainable product systems.
− Reduced environmental impact at a production 2. The main drivers for Eco-design in the EEE
stage, by using lead free solder and components; sector are rather new business opportunities than
environmental issues. However, legal and
− New design of PCB – no waste at the assembly
market drivers for producers of EEE to improve
stage;
the environmental performance of their products
− Optimized end-of-life systems because of the
increase while those for developing products are
information on the disposal of hazardous
not active enough.
substances, plastics marking, and because of the
3. The Eco-design process model helps incorporate
symbol indicating separate collection of
all parts of the product system through the life
electrical and electronic equipment.
cycle. The environmental analysis methods are
based on life cycle thinking. The quantitative
All the results show that implementation of eco-
methods are used when the environmental
design tools for the EE meter production reduces
benefits of a newly developed product need to
environmental impact all over the life cycle of the
be evaluated and compared with the former
product. The environmental impact of a new EE meter
product or other alternative products. Qualitative
has been analyzed according to the Eco-indicator’99
methods are the most suitable when it is
methodology. Comparison of environmental impact
sufficient to evaluate the environmental aspects
of present and new EE meters is presented in Fig. 5.
of a component of the product.
4. The implementation of Eco-design tools for
Present product New product electrical electricity meter has reduced an
1600
environmental impact 2.73 times in Eco-
1400
1400 indicator’99 millipoints (from 1,400 to 423.59).
1200
Compliance of legal drivers has been realized;
1000
cost reduction, raw materials usage has been
800
optimised, awareness about Eco-design of
company employees has increased. It indicates
mP t

600
432,59 that the integration of Eco-design into a product
400
development is beneficial for both: company and
200
-240 -104,05 environment.
0
5. The authorities have to be familiarized with the
-200 Production Disposal
role of Eco-design in order to support Eco-
-400
design as one of the significant instruments of
environmental product management.
Fig. 5. Environmental impact comparison of present and
new EE meters 6. The environmental dimension of the innovation
policies can be stressed more explicitly as this is
Having implemented the above mentioned items, one of the opportunities to create more
the environmental impact in the production stage has competitive products and services, and Eco-
been reduced 2.73 times (Eco-indicator’99 value has design can be used as one of the tools for
been changed from 1, 400 to 423.59 mPt). product development and innovation. The
− The dimensions of the meter case have been national innovation support bodies should be
minimized using less PC. Environmental impact educated on Eco-design.
at the EE meter frame production stage is There is a basic need to introduce Eco-design
reduced by 22 %. gradually, step by step in Lithuanian industry. The
− Environmental impact at the screen production introduction of Eco-design in Lithuania should
stage is reduced by 100 % when steel is not generate the possibilities to participate in concrete
used. actions e.g. pilot projects, experience exchange with
− Environmental impact of the wires is reduced to similar companies, etc. The education and
90.3 % information can be general at the initial stage, and
− Lead free solder and components reduce the later it should be focused on industry-specific issues.
environmental impact by 8.3 % In general, there is a lack of product development in
− Avoiding a few metal contacts reduces the Lithuanian industry. R&D activities are mainly
environmental impact by 21.3 % carried out in some larger enterprises and some high
tech SMEs. However, since the majority of companies
declare that they perform product development, it
indicates that there are established product

49
 I. Gurauskienė, V. Varžinskas

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9. Staniškis J.K., Varžinskas V, Cleaner product
development based on life cycle assessment:

MSc. Inga Gurauskienė, PhD student at the MSc. Visvaldas Varžinskas, PhD student at the
Institute of Environmental Engineering, Kaunas Institute of Environmental Engineering, Kaunas
University of Technology University of Technology.
Main research areas: integrated waste management Main research areas: Sustainable industry
of electrical and electronic equipment development, Intergared product policy (IPP), Eco-
Address: K. Donelaičio str. 20, design, Life cycle assesment (LCA).
LT-44239 Kaunas, Lithuania Address: K. Donelaičio str. 20,
Fax: +370-37- 209372, LT-44239 Kaunas, Lithuania
Tel.: +370-37-300762, Fax: +370-37- 209372,
E-mail: [email protected] Tel.: +370-37-300764,
E-mail: [email protected]

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 Eco-design Methodology for Electrical and Electronic Equipment Industry

Ekologinio gaminių projektavimo metodai elektros ir elektroninės

įrangos pramonei

Inga Gurauskienė, Visvaldas Varžinskas

Aplinkos inžinerijos institutas, Kauno technologijos universitetas

(gautas 2006 m. liepos mėn.; atiduotas spaudai 2006 m. rugsėjo mėn.)

Elektros ir elektronikos įrangos (EEĮ) pramonė yra viena didžiausių pramonės šakų visame
apdirbamosios pramonės sektoriuje. Ji turi tendenciją sparčiai plėstis, ne tik didindama gaminių
kiekį, bet ir kurdama naujus gaminius, ar juos tobulindama diegiant vis naujesnes technologijas.
Dėl šios priežasties vyksta natūrali naudojamų gaminių kaita ir didėja EEĮ atliekų kiekis. Su tuo
susijęs ir augantis elektros ir elektroninės įrangos poveikis aplinkai per visą būvio ciklą (nuo
žaliavų ir elektros energijos vartojimo, iki atliekų susidarymo ir su jomis susijusiu poveikiu
aplinkai).
Šiame darbe analizuojama viena taršos prevencijos priemonių – ekologinis gaminių
projektavimas. Ekologinis gaminių projektavimas – tai sisteminė metodika, integruojanti aplinkos
apsaugos aspektus į gaminio projektavimą. Sudarytas sisteminio ekologinio projektavimo taikymo
modelis, leidžiantis pritaikyti atitinkamas priemones konkrečioje veikloje. Remiantis minėta
metodika, pateikti praktinio ekologinio projektavimo taikymo elektroniniam elektros energijos
skaitikliui rezultatai. Praktinio taikymo pavyzdys rodo, kad poveikis aplinkai gali būti sumažintas
iki 2,73 kartų (pagal Ekoindikatorių, ‘99 reikšmė).

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