3 - Implications of Wider Isssues

Question 1

Describe what a Lifecycle assessment (LCA) is

Answer 1

Lifecycle assessment (LCA) is a technique to assess environmental impacts associated with all the stages of a product’s life from cradle-to-grave (from raw material extraction through materials processing, manufacture, distribution, use during its life, repair and maintenance and end of life disposal or recycling).

Question 2

What is The Ethical Trade Initiative (ETI)

Answer 2

An inderpendent organisation that sets out a code of ethics which aims to promote fair working practices, stop fourced labour and end production of unethical products.
* An alliance of companies, trade unions and non-governmental organisations (1) that promotes respect for workers’ rights around the globe (1).

or

• An internationally agreed code of practice among companies (1) for all areas of employment/ labour practice (1)

Question 3

What is meant by intellectual property?
Describe the different types of IP

Answer 3

Intellectual property (IP) refers to intangible assets that are legally protected from unauthorized use. It includes various types such as:
* Patents: Provides exclusive rights to products functionality, workings and also processes.
* Copyrights: Legal protection for original works of authorship, such as literature, music and art.
* Trademarks: Protect symbols, names, and slogans used to identify goods or services.
* Registered design: physical products appearence in terms of their physical shape, configuration (or how different parts of a design are arranged together), decoration or colour and pattern.
* Trade secrets: Protect confidential business information that provides a competitive edge.
Notes
* Intellectual property rights enable creators to earn recognition or financial benefits from their inventions or creations, fostering innovation and creativity.
* A product may include IP covered by multiple protections (e.g. registered design & pattent).

Question 4

Describe registered designs and give examples

Answer 4

A type of intelectual property which covers appearence of physical products in terms of their:
* physical shape
* configuration (or how different parts of a design are arranged together)
* decoration or colour
* pattern

e.g. Coca-Cola bottle, Dyson Vacuum cleaner, iPhone, RR bumper, car bodywork

Question 5

Describe registered trademarks

Answer 5

Symbols, names, and slogans used to identify goods or services by a particular company, that can not be used by other companies without permission.

Question 6

Describe pattents

Answer 6

Provides exclusive rights to products functionality, workings and also processes.

Question 7

Describe copyright

Answer 7

Copyrights: Legal protection for original works of authorship, such as literature, music and art.

Question 8

Describe what is meant by the term Fair Trade (2)

Answer 8

A concept about better process, decent working
conditions (1) and fair terms of trade/ payment
for farmers and their workers (1).
or
* Companies aim to be fair when
sourcing/growing materials/ use of natural
pesticides when producing materials and
products (1) to the treatment of
workers/provision of a safe working
environment and fair pay and working
conditions. (1)

Question 9

Give examples of specialist websites and publications that can be used to support design development

Answer 9

• Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT) website - provides data portfolio e.g. sales figures by fuel type
• British Standards Online (BSI)
• Intelectual property office
• Scientific journals e.g. Science Direct - anthropometric data