最近のエコデザインの動向 : 電気製品のエコデザイン

抄録

This paper describes an overview of recent developments and practices on Eco-design of electric appliances. It consists of four major parts such as circumstances surrounding Eco-design, practices of Eco-design in Japanese electric appliances industry, indicators for evaluation, and international standardization. The first part shows an overall picture of the movements and trends in the world on Eco-design, and its fundamental way for improving the environmental performance of products under these circumstances is presented. The second part is describing the typical practices as examples of Eco-design activities in the industry. Many kinds of conditions are reflected as follows; to reduce, reuse and recycle materials and electric appliances are dominant factors in wastes and resources problems, energy efficiency is a globally emerging issue, and treatment of chemical substances must be severely controlled. The third part explains practical researches and developments on environmental performance indicators for manufacturers to communicate with consumers. Eco-Efficiency can be defined with two significant aspects a product: functional performance and environmental impact. Factor-X is a specialized indicator expressing the improvement of each product's value or benefit and environmental friendliness at the same time. An evaluating methodology associated with four electric appliances including air-conditioners, refrigerators, lamps, and lighting apparatus are also presented. The last part introduces a new movement for the international standardization of Eco-design and Japan's contributions to its technological considerations. Through these perspectives, the author emphasizes the significance of Eco-design to compete in the present and future markets of electric appliances and to transform the consumers' lifestyles as a key driver toward sustainable development.