2.14 National and International Standards in Product Design

Question 1

British Standards Institution (BSI)

Answer 1

National organisation that devises agreed standard procedures

Currently exceeds 30000 standards

Kitemark shows the standard has been met - influential when customers decide on product purchases

Standards accepted by the European standards organisation carry the prefix ‘BS EN’

E.g. BS EN 71-1:2014 safety of toys - mechanical and physical properties

BS EN 50361:2001 electromagnetic effect of mobile phones

Question 2

International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO)

Answer 2

Consists of 150 national standards bodies including BSI

Implements internationally recognised standards

Promotes quality and safety in products by testing and certificating

E.g. BS ENG ISO 9001 - quality management systems

BS EN ISO 14000 environmental management

BS EN ISO 50001 energy management

Question 3

Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive

Answer 3

A European directive first introduced in 2006

Restricts the use of hazardous materials such as lead, mercury, cadmium and chromium in electronic/electrical products

Aims to prevent damage to human health and the environment

Question 4

Battery directive

Answer 4

A European directive came into force in 2006

Limits the use of hazardous substances in batteries such as mercury and lead

Applies to cordless tools from 2017

Crossed-out wheelie bin indicates the need for specific disposal methods

Requires provision of instructions for safe removal and disposal

Question 5

Packaging and packaging waste directive

Answer 5

EU directive last updated in 2014

3 key requirements:

Minimising packaging volume and weight
Reduction of hazardous substances and materials
Introduction of reusable or recoverable packaging designs

Promotes recycling and reuse

Materials identification is specified

Question 6

Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive

Answer 6

European directive that came into force in 2006

Covers the end of life of electric and electronic equipment

It is a ‘producer responsibility directive’ which means producers are required to take financial responsibility for the environmental impact of products they place on the market - a direct or indirect ‘take back scheme’

Must comply with RoHS directive

Requires provision of how the product should be safely disposed - dismantling guides

Manufacturer’s must be registered and regularly declare the materials used in their products

Crossed-out wheelie bin shows compliance

Question 7

End of Life Vehicles (ELV) directive

Answer 7

European directive aimed at making the dismantling and recycling of ELVs more environmentally friendly

Question 8

Möbius loop recycling symbol

Answer 8

International recycling symbol

Often used with a polymer ID code

Facilitates separation of different polymers

Question 9

European Ecolabel

Answer 9

Voluntary certification for products’ life cycle assessment

Identifies products which are environmentally preferable within their category overall

For example washing machine requirements:

Clear settings for fabrics and washing cycle options

Specified maximum energy/water usage for standard load

Clear information on noise levels

Consideration of disassembly

Question 10

NAPM recycled mark

Answer 10

This was the National Association of Paper Merchants’ scheme to encourage the use of recycled content in paper and card

Question 11

EC Energy Label

Answer 11

Compulsory European scheme to indicate the energy consumption of household appliances

Colour coded A-G scale for easy comparison

Pictograms introduced in 2010

Scale has changed to A+++ to D due to improved energy efficiency levels

Question 12

Energy efficiency label and logo

Answer 12

Certification mark issues by the Energy Saving Trust

Only awarded to the most energy-efficient products

Available for washing machines, fridges, light bulbs, heating boilers etc

Also used for insulation products

Question 13

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) logo

Answer 13

Applies to timber products sourced from managed forests

Local people and wildlife must be protected

Insists on the use of local, fairly paid m, fully trained workers in a safe environment

Harvested trees must be replaced to prevent deforestation

Question 14

EU Energy Star

Answer 14

Collaborative scheme between EU and USA

USA began the scheme in 1992 as the EPA (environmental protection agency) Energy star

Standardises IT equipment energy labelling

Database facilitates informed decisions

Scheme covers computers, displays and peripherals

Question 15

Key standards/legislation/labels

Answer 15

RoHS

Packaging and packaging waste directive

Battery directive

WEEE directive

ELV directive

European Ecolabel

EC energy label

EU energy star

FSC

NAPM recycled mark

Energy efficiency label and logo

Question 16

BSI certification

Answer 16

Shows the product has been rigorously tested

Ensures the product is safe and fit for purpose

Increases a brand’s reputation - company becomes synonymous with producing high quality safe products

Allows the display of the kitemark on the product -positive association for consumers

Ensures ongoing testing and the recall of faulty products

Product meets current safety regulations

BSI standards are updated periodically