Figure 4: RoHS Controlled Chemicals
Key Drivers
The above main challenges need to be addressed
first so that sustainable product design can be
successfully implemented. It is not possible, even
ineffective, for industry alone to overcome the
issues. Other stakeholders like the Government
and universities are essential in driving
sustainable design initiatives. Each stakeholder
has a specific role to play and the combined effect
can set the right environment and platform for the
smooth transformation to sustainable products,
although this may take some time.
Government — who is empowered with
executive and legislative power and can dictate
policy, has significant influence to spearhead
sustainability initiatives. The policy, if carefully
drafted, and rightly adopted, can boost the future
growth of the intended sustainable product or
compete successfully with existing non-eco-friendly
products. Governments also have the guardian
duty to impose rules and regulations pertaining
to the compliance of product manufacturers and
users in protecting the environment. For example,
the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS)
directive was introduced by the European Union
(2002) to mitigate the 10 hazardous chemicals
shown in Figure 4 and prevent pollution to the
environment. Any violation will lead to banning of
the goods in the market.
University — as institutions of higher learning to
cultivate minds and conduct research, universities
are probably the most conducive place to develop
new knowledge and technologies that can support
sustainable initiatives. These institutions can
educate students who are the future engineers,
technologists and industry leaders of society to
care for environment and prepare them to be
mindful and responsible enough to protect the
planet from pollution. Of late, many universities
including ones in Malaysia are offering green
technology and environment-related courses.
It is definitely a step in the right direction to
produce more graduates in these fields who in
the future may be appointed to the corporate
or public sectors. They may be more inclined
to safeguard the environment. Universities as
centres of knowledge can also become centres of
information dissemination to the public through
publications, talks, conferences and seminars
about environmental and pollution issues.
Industry — composed of business-oriented
entities that directly manufacture products for
users, should share the responsibility of making
sustainable products while continuing to prosper.
As such, industry has two important roles,
i. to enshrine su s t ainable pro duc t
development and protection of the
environment into its corporate philosophy,
and
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