CASE STUDY

Nokia's life cycle approach

Nokia manages its environmental activities based on life cycle thinking for mobile phones and network equipment, which have different life cycle profiles. For mobile phones, raw material extraction and component manufacture account for the largest share of overall environmental impact. For network equipment, energy consumption during use accounts for the largest share of overall environmental impact. Keeping these differences in mind, Nokia can work more effectively to minimize negative environmental impacts.

Priorities for selection and use of materials are made by considering the materials efficiency of products along with substance management issues. A key component of materials efficiency is the consumption of less raw material in product manufacturing. As the size of mobile devices has decreased drastically, the range of services they provide has increased, meaning materials efficiency has greatly improved. Nokia has taken a precautionary approach and compiled a Nokia Substance List (NSL) based on regulatory requirements and reasonable facts. The NSL identifies substances that Nokia has banned, restricted or targeted for reduction with the aim of phasing out their use in Nokia products.

Learning more about life cycle analyses in your key markets, the business drivers behind those and resulting decisions will highlight the type of life cycle information you can contribute. If the industry does not proactively offer solutions, it is possible more substances will be deemed ‘of concern’ and designers will refer to lists of hazardous properties to make decisions.

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CASE STUDY DETAILS

Published
19 August 2006
Location
Global

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Health Risk Assessment Guidance for Metals (HERAG)
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SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK

Principle 08:

Facilitate and encourage responsible product design, use, re-use, recycling and disposal of our products

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