All businesses have to do in return is provide product data for a pan-European website database being developed by the Agency.
The project, named Electronic Life Cycle Assessment, will eventually lead to a multi-lingual website for smaller businesses with guidance to help them assess the environmental impacts of their products and to assist with eco-design. Confidentiality will be preserved by the use of anonymous, or averaged, data on the site.
These measures are increasingly required by large suppliers who are moving towards 'green procurement' and will be compulsory when the European Union’s integrated product policy takes effect.
The assessments are used to help manufacturers identify the environmental effects of different design options, improve efficiency and produce greener, more environmentally friendly products.
Although large firms increasingly use the assessments, the high costs involved have generally put them beyond the means of small and medium firms, and the agency believes it free service will help to fill this gap.
The deadline for registering interest is February 2003
For more information, email suzanne.harrison@environment-agency.gov.uk or karen.fisher@environment-agency.gov.uk.
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