ARE YOU MAKING AN IMPACT?
Many Inventors Ignore the Possible Environmental Effects of Their New Products. But Beware--You Do So at Your Own Risk.
By James F. Riordan
Only a few short years ago, neither industry nor society paid much attention to the impact of new products on our environment. Now, however, you can find more "heavy metal" in ducks and fish than you can at a rock concert, and lawmakers are beginning to react to public outcry. More and more clean air and toxic waste laws are being enacted every year.
The new product developer must evaluate both manufacturing processes and the new products themselves carefully with respect to pollutants, litter, and misuse of natural resources. Winning products would be those which run on or eat toxic waste and pollutants, produce fresh air and water, biodegrade immediately after use, and generate employment for lots of workers.
Basically, if a product runs on or eat noxious fumes and belches out clean air, it rates a 10. If instead it uses clean air or water and produces waste or hazardous by-products, Look Out! Things are only going to get worse in the next few years. The penalties for abusing mother nature will get far more severe. It should be noted that several companies have recently found themselves in court pitted against their own liability insurers who were refusing to pay for toxic clean-ups.
As a new product evaluator, it is becoming increasingly important to keep track of four major areas of concern:
1. Existing laws and standards which are presently on the books and in effect now.2. New laws which are on the books but are not yet in effect or binding.
3. Pending new legislation which is awaiting passage which may kill or limit the life cycle of the product or its components or contents if passed.
4. Legislation which is being urged by lobbyists representing splinter groups ranging from concerned citizens to more radical individuals.
In order to be sure that your product or its components or contents are environmentally safe and meet legal standards, at the present time, contact the EPA at:
Environmental Protection Agency Ariel Rios Building 1200 Pennsylvania Ave, NW Washington, D.C. (202) 260-2090
The agency also have branch offices through the country. For information on the office nearest you, visit the EPA website:
http://www.epa.gov
In order to find out what legislation is being suggested to legislators by environmental groups, you can go to the public library and peruse their monthly publications. If you're part of a large company or corporation, I suggest that one of the members of your product development team subscribe to all of the different organizations and use the company mailing address.
Trust me--finding out in advance what will be the next "cause celebre" may prevent your products from being on the "Hit List." Sometimes becoming the target of one of these groups can be just as financially draining and ugly from a public relations standpoint as a government investigation.
Just as in personal liability cases, the government is stepping up its prosecution of companies who are found to be marketing products which harm the environment. They are also coming down hard on companies who are harming the environment through reckless manufacturing processes. Increasingly, the government lawsuits and indictments are naming the chief executives of the companies, personally.
Certainly, it behooves you to thoroughly review the environmental and societal impact of each and every product you plan to develop.
The above article was taken from James F. Riordan's classic book, HOW TO EVALUATE THE POTENTIAL FOR SUCCESS OF A NEW PRODUCT OR TECHNOLOGY. Riordan's highly-acclaimed, 36-point system is a valuable tool for inventors, product evaluators or anyone interested in the invention process. Each section is followed by a comprehensive questionnaire that can be used to evaluate your product.
The highly-recommended book can be ordered by contacting the James F. Riordan Company, 3110 Camerosa Circle, Cameron Park, CA 95682. The company can be reached by phone at (916) 676-4729. The book may also be ordered through the Dream Merchant, 2309 Torrance Blvd., Suite 104, Torrance, CA 90501. The phone number is (310) 328-1925.
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