Meeting OEM customer product environmental performance expectations through environmental product design (EPD) roadmaps and specifications

The emerging Environmental, Health, and Safety (EH&S) paradigm is characterized by an international shift in focus from prescriptive to indirect (market-based) regulatory tactics. To both survive and excel in this challenging environment, Quantum Corporation, a leading manufacturer and supplier of storage devices to worldwide computer OEMs (original equipment manufacturers), is developing new relationships with both its customers and suppliers. This paper describes Quantum Corporation´s development of an Environmental Product Design (EPD) Program to align long-term customer and supplier product development goals. This paper also describes Quantum´s approach to managing the use of restricted substances in Quantum products, and a discussion of the evolving internal and external relationships necessary for EPD Program success