Design and Technology – Design principles | e-Consult

Changing legal and environmental requirements are increasingly shaping product design. Material selection is heavily influenced by regulations regarding hazardous substances (e.g., RoHS directive, REACH regulation). Manufacturers must avoid using materials that contain harmful chemicals. This might necessitate using alternative materials or developing new formulations.

Manufacturing processes are also affected. Regulations on waste management and emissions require manufacturers to adopt cleaner production methods. This could involve using more energy-efficient machinery, implementing closed-loop manufacturing systems, and minimizing waste generation. The choice of manufacturing process (e.g., injection moulding vs. additive manufacturing) can also impact environmental performance.

Product end-of-life considerations are becoming increasingly important. Regulations on product take-back schemes and recyclability are driving design changes. Products are being designed for disassembly and recyclability, using modular designs and easily separable components. Manufacturers are also exploring the use of recycled materials and designing products for longer lifespans to reduce waste.

Examples include the increasing use of recycled plastics in product casings, the development of biodegradable packaging materials, and the implementation of design for disassembly principles in electronic devices. Companies are also exploring extended producer responsibility schemes, where manufacturers are responsible for the end-of-life management of their products.