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Why do firms want to design for the environment?
Modern day businesses all aim to produce goods at a low cost while maintaining quality, staying competitive in the global marketplace, and meeting consumer preferences for more environmentally friendly products. To help businesses meet these challenges, EPA encourages businesses to incorporate environmental considerations into the design process. The benefits of incorporating DfE include: cost savings, reduced business and environmental risks, expanded business and market opportunities, and to meet environmental regulations.

The National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
The EPA has imposed the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) to establish an air quality standard across the U.S. The NAAQS sets standards on six main sources of pollutants, which include emissions of: ozone (0.12 ppm per 1 hour), carbon monoxide (35 ppm per 1 hour), pollutant (primary standards), particulate matter (50g/m^3 at an annual arithmetic mean), sulfur dioxide (80g/m^3 at an annual arithmetic mean), nitrogen dioxide (100g/m^3 at an annual arithmetic mean), and lead emissions (1.5g/m^3 at an annual arithmetic mean).

Stratospheric Ozone Protection
The Stratospheric Ozone Protection is under section 602 of the Clean Air Act of 1990. This regulation aims to decrease emission of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and other chemicals that are destroying the stratospheric ozone layer. The protection initiative categorizes ozone-depleting substances into two classes: Class I, and Class II.

Class I substances include 20 different kinds of chemicals and have all been phased-out of production processes since 2000. Class II substances consist of the 33 different HCFCs. The EPA has already begun plans to decrease emissions in HCFCs and plan to completely phase out the class II substances by 2030.

Reporting Requirements for Releases of Toxic Substances
A firm operating in the electronics industry in SIC Codes 20-39 that has more than 10 full-time employees and consumes more than 10,000lbs per year of any toxic chemical lists in 40 CFR 372.65 must file a toxic release inventory.

Other Regulations

 * Hazardous Air Pollutants and Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) Standards
 * EPA National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
 * Underground Injection Control Program
 * Hazardous Waste Management
 * Underground Storage Tank Management

How does a business design for the Environment?
A business can design for the environment by :
 * Evaluating the human health and environmental impacts of its processes and products.
 * Identifying what information is needed to make human health and environment decisions
 * Conducting an assessment of alternatives
 * Considering cross-media impacts and the benefits of substituting chemicals
 * Reducing the use and release of toxic chemicals through the innovation of cleaner technologies that use safer chemicals.
 * Implementing pollution prevention, energy efficiency, and other resource conservation measures.
 * Making products that can be reused and recycled
 * Monitoring the environmental impacts and costs associated with each product or process
 * Recognizing that although change can be rapid, in many cases a cycle of evaluation and continuous improvement is needed