To other parts of the supply chain
In order to do a useful assessment, it is often necessary to get information from suppliers about the contents, processing techniques, manufacturing locations and so on for the components they provide. Sharing impact results with suppliers can help them adjust their own processes, or at least explain why the company is making certain sourcing and materials choices.
In some cases, organizations have the ability to demand that their suppliers abide by certain criteria. This can range from simply reporting their product’s composition to full environmental impact assessments. For example, Wal-Mart requires its suppliers to fill out a “Packaging Scorecard” as part of its efforts to reduce packaging throughout its supply chain. Although there aren’t specific thresholds they have to meet, Wal-Mart says that it will take the results into account in making sourcing decisions.
Of course this works in reverse if the company doing the sustainable design is itself a supplier. By generating parts that take into account environmental impact, they are influencing the sustainability of downstream products. It also makes it easier to comply with any impact requirements or guidelines the customer may have.
A common way to communicate impact data is through EPDs. Environmental Product Declarations are a standardized (ISO 14025/TR) representation of LCA results. They require a full ISO-compliant LCA and build on the resulting quantified impact data certified by an independent third-party. It is solely an internationally recognized format for presenting LCA data and not an evaluation or rating system.
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