Reducing the carbon footprint of ICT products through material efficiency strategies: A life cycle analysis of smartphones

With the support of a life cycle assessment model, this study estimates the carbon footprint (CF) of smartphones and life cycle costs (LCC) for consumers in scenarios where different material efficiency strategies are implemented in Europe. Results show that a major contribution to the CF of smartphones is due to extraction and processing of materials and following manufacturing of parts: 10.7 kg CO2,eq/year, when assuming a biennial replacement cycle. Printed wiring board, display assembly, and integrated circuits make 75% of the impacts from materials. The CF is increased by assembly (+2.7 kg CO2,eq/year), distribution (+1.9 kg CO2,eq/year), and recharging of the device (+1.9 kg CO2,eq/year) and decreased by the end of life recycling (−0.8 kg CO2,eq/year). However, the CF of smartphones can dramatically increase when the energy consumed in communication services is counted (+26.4 kg CO2,eq/year). LCC can vary significantly (235–622 EUR/year). The service contract can in particular be a decisive cost factor (up to 61–85% of the LCC). It was calculated that the 1:1 displacement of new smartphones by used devices could decrease the CF by 52–79% (excluding communication services) and the LCC by 5–16%. An extension of the replacement cycle from 2 to 3 years could decrease the CF by 23–30% and the LCC by 4–10%, depending on whether repair operations are required. Measures for implementing such material efficiency strategies are presented and results can help inform decision‐makers about how to reduce impacts associated with smartphones.This work has been financially supported by the European Commission through the Administrative Agreement N. 070201/2015/SI2.719458/ENV.A.1, signed by DG ENV and DG JRC

Monitoring of carbon dioxide uptake in accelerated carbonation processes applied to air pollution control residues

The application of Accelerated Carbonation Technology (ACT) has potential for the sequestration of carbon in waste and geological materials. ACT also has potential to be supported by carbon credit mechanisms based upon the amount of carbon sequestered from industrial emissions. For this to happen, the routine monitoring of CO2 sequestered into the solid phase is required for the planning and operation of any accelerated carbonation plant. The present paper reports the preliminary results from an assessment of existing methods for measuring CO2 imbibed into a solid by an accelerated carbonation processes. Laboratory-scale experiments were carried out to evaluate the accuracy of methodologies for measuring mineralised carbon including: loss on ignition, acid digestion and total carbon analysis. The CO2 reactivity of several wastes from municipal incineration known as Air Pollution Control residues (APCr) were also included in the study. A detailed characterisation of the materials being carbonated, using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and ion chromatography was carried out. The results of this study showed that monitoring CO2 during accelerated carbonation is made difficult by the complex mineralogy of materials such as APCrs. As such, the presence of calcium bearing species and polymorphs of calcium carbonate formed varied between the materials investigated. The use of an acid digestion technique was not subject to interference from the chemistry or mineralogy of an ash. Among the investigated methods, acid digestion gives the most promising results as it provided robust data on the amount of carbon imbibed during processing

Analysis and development of a scoring system for repair and upgrade of products

As part of the implementation of the EU action plan for the Circular Economy, the European Commission has carried out a study for the analysis and development of a possible scoring system to inform about the ability to repair and upgrade products. The overall aims of the study, described in the present report, are: 1) To develop a general approach for the assessment of the ability to repare/upgrade energy related products (ErP); 2) To test the feasibility and types of results derived using the general approach on three specific product groups (Laptops, Vacuum Cleaners and Washing Machines). Building on the experience gained by CEN-CENELEC-JTC10 during the development of prEN 45554, a general framework has been proposed that provides technical guidance for the identification of most relevant aspects and priority parts for products on the market, as well as for scoring and aggregating different aspects of repair and upgrade. A limited number of technical parameters have been selected which cover design characteristics and relevant operational aspects related to the repair/upgrade of products. Purely economic parameters are out of the scope of this study but they are addressed indirectly by the selected parameters since these can have an influence on the cost of repair/upgrade operations. The assessment of products has been simplified by focusing, when relevant, on priority parts, to be defined on a product group basis taking into account aspects such as the frequency of failure/upgrade, the functional importance of parts, as well as qualitative information. The assessment framework is composed of: a) Pass/fail criteria that products have to fulfil in order to be considered as reparable/upgradable, and thus eligible for being assessed through the scoring criteria; b) Scoring criteria, to rate the extent to which products are reparable or upgradable. Scores can be aggregated and reported in different types of indices, which could be more or less suitable based on the final application of the scoring system. However, it was recognised that background information used for their quantification should be also provided for transparency reasons. In order to understand specific aspects and needs for different types/groups of products, the general framework has been theoretically applied to three illustrative product groups: laptops, vacuum cleaners and washing machines. The assessment has been kept practical by focusing on key parameters for the analysed product groups. This scoring system could serve as a technical reference for potential use in policy-making (e.g. Ecodesign, Energy Label, GPP, Ecolabel), for the design of a new label, or as public guidance document (for designers and consumer testing organisations). However, the study itself does not propose or pre-empt any future policy decision. Moreover, the scoring system may need to be revised periodically, in the logic of continuous methodological improvement and adaptation to changing market conditions. The applicability of the system should be also supported by future investigation aiming at: - The analysis of how consumers can understand different types of information related to the repair/upgrade of products; - The analysis of the performance of real products on the market to understand how parameters, rating and weighting of the scoring system should be adjusted, and how frequently they should be updated over time. Finally, it has also to be observed that different aspects should be evaluated in a preliminary phase to understand which are the best material efficiency strategies to implement for a specific product (e.g. similar levels of benefits could be achieved either designing more reliable products that last longer, or that can be repaired/upgraded more easily). Durability of a product is relevant as long as a product has actually an extended service life. Reliability, reparability and upgradability are all durability aspects targeted to extending the service lifetime of products and tightly linked to each other. Also in the cases in which reliability could have higher importance, reparability and upgradability can be still complementary to extend the lifetime of products.JRC.B.5-Circular Economy and Industrial Leadershi

Methods for the Assessment of the Reparability and Upgradability of Energy-related Products: Application to TVs

Improving the material efficiency of products can be important to reduce their environmental impacts. In particular, an improvement of the reparability and upgradability of products can have the potential of bringing added value to the environment and to the economy by limiting the early replacement of products and thus saving resources. However, the design of products needs to be assisted by appropriate assessment methods. In this context, the Joint Research Centre Directorate B, Circular Economy & Industrial Leadership unit, has compiled a multi-level approach for assessing the reparability and upgradability of products. This report describes the application of such approach to TVs, with the aim of improving the knowledge about the assessment of the reparability and upgradability of ErP. The draft report is structured in the following chapters: 1. Product group definition and characterisation (including: scoping, legislation and testing methods of interest for repair and upgrade, relevant information on market, user behaviour and product) 2. Identification of critical aspects and priority parts for the product group and Level 1 assessment (development of a checklist of positive attributes influencing reparability and upgradability of the product group) 3. Annex: further methodological guidance notes about Level 2 (scoring of attributes influencing reparability and upgradability of the product group) and Level 3 assessment (discussion on quantitative parameters) 4. Additional questions. Two written consultations are planned, the first one taking place from 20 April until 14 May 2018. Please note that at this stage it has been possible to prepare only a draft and incomplete report. The goal of the first consultation is to revise and integrate the background information gathered so far and set the basis for the development of the other steps of the study. Depending on your interest in and familiarity with the subjects covered in the report, you may provide input either to all or some parts and questions of the report, by using the provided commenting form.JRC.B.5-Circular Economy and Industrial Leadershi

Durability assessment of products: analysis and testing of washing machines

Designing more durable products is a key strategy of the Circular Economy to save materials and reduce the amount of waste to handle at the End of Life of the product. However, the design of more durable products needs to be supported by methods for assessing and verifying durability aspects. Although internal protocols are typically implemented by manufacturers, also depending on their business strategy, there is a lack of standardised methods allowing the comparison of products on the market. The overall objective of this study is to improve the technical background related to the assessment and verification of the durability of products. General principles for the technical assessment of the durability of products have been developed and applied in this study to the analysis of household washing machines (referred to as washing machines): 1. Durability aspects associated to the use of washing machines and existing testing methods are reviewed; 2. A testing procedure for assessing and verifying the durability of washing machines is further developed; 3. The procedure is applied to two models of washing machines on the market, and the results analysed; 4. Lesson learnt and recommendations are provided for further improvement and application of assessment guidance and testing procedure. The methodological steps applied in this study successfully allowed: • Understanding the durability needs of the product, and identify technical problems which can disrupt the delivery of key functions; • Analysing stress conditions, design aspects and misuses that could produce failures of key parts and loss of function(s)/sub-function(s) during the operation of the product; • Identifying key aspects and/or correction measures to avoid / delay possible failures during the lifetime of the product and thus increasing its longevity; • Developing further knowledge about how to assess and verify the durability of the product. The approach could be tailored and applied to other products for which a durability assessment has to be carried out, for regulatory or research purposes. Moreover, this can also serve as input for the work carried out by CEN/CENELEC JTC10 under Mandate 543 and aimed at the development of general standard methods on material efficiency aspects of Energy-related Products under Ecodesign. The output of the analysis of washing machines was in particular oriented to the improvement of a procedure for testing the durability of the product. As lesson learnt it was recognised that the testing procedure should: • Focus on the testing of the entire product under conditions closer to real life operations (the use of a fixed unbalance is avoided; stresses due to washing and rinsing cycles are integrated); • Reduce the length of the testing (by applying Accelerating Life Testing); • Cover mechanical stresses, as main cause of damages, as well as functionality aspects as loss of performance (washing performance parameters are monitored). Moreover, a balance has to be sought between the desirable lifetime target for the testing procedure (e.g. the average lifetime of the product) and a practical length that can be applicable for verification purposes. This complex task resulted in a series of test cycles which impose realistic thermal and mechanical stresses to washing machines and which are executed many times mimicking a specific lifetime period of the device in a shorter period of time. The procedure was executed in a trial with two washing machines for a simulated usage period of two years. The coverage of the first two years of use of washing machines can allow identifying early failures, malfunctioning and loss of performance in worst performing products, as well as any potential sources of failures. This is in particular useful for regulatory purposes, since the testing of a representative lifetime of 12 years could require about 6 times the time and resources required by the application of this procedure. The procedure has appeared to be suitable for laboratory testing and to be realistic in the sense that the induced stresses caused thermal and mechanical wears and tears typically found in washing machines during their lifetime. As follow-up of this study, it is recommended to apply the testing procedure to a larger sample of devices and for longer periods of time, to understand if and how the functional performance is decreasing after the first 2 years of use of washing machines, as well as if and when minor problems encountered during the operation of the device could become major failures. This would help understanding better what makes sense to monitor and how long in the procedure, especially if this is intended to be applied in the future for regulatory purposes. Further developments should address the monitoring of noises and of possible movements of the machine. Alignment with the final output of the ongoing revision of the Commission Regulation (EU) No 1015/2010 and of the Commission Regulation (EU) No 1061/2010 (and related standards) should be moreover sought. However, it should be noted that, in practice, the testing procedure has already taken a considerable amount of time (in total 697 h for one person for two washing machines in parallel). If this were to be refined and applied for verification / monitoring purposes, this is deemed too long and ways to shorten the testing time would be needed. The saving of time could be alternatively invested to test the product for a duration representative of longer lifetimes and/or tracking the functional performance along different moments of the lifetime.JRC.B.5-Circular Economy and Industrial Leadershi

Development of the EU Green Public Procurement (GPP) Criteria for Data Centres, Server Rooms and Cloud Services

The development of the Green Public Procurement (GPP) criteria for Data Centres, Server Rooms and Cloud Services is aimed at helping public authorities to ensure that data centres’ equipment and services are procured in such a way that they deliver environmental improvements that contribute to European policy objectives for energy, climate change and resource efficiency, as well as reducing life cycle costs. Three priority areas of focus are identified as the basis for criteria: 1) ICT System Performance, 2) Mechanical and electrical system performance, 3) Reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) Emissions. For each area of focus, one or more criteria are provided, accompanied by the background technical rationale and a summary of the stakeholder contributions that support the final version of each criterion. Procurers can apply the criteria and engage tenderers to reduce the life cycle environmental impacts of their activities, focusing on those areas presenting the most improvement opportunities from cost and market perspectives and for which performance can be verified. The identified procurement processes and final green criteria are also described in a separate document, published as a Staff Working Document of the Commission: SWD(2020) 55 final. Together these two documents aim to provide public authorities with orientation on how to effectively integrate these GPP criteria into their procurement processes.JRC.B.5-Circular Economy and Industrial Leadershi

Development of European Green Public Procurement Criteria for Data Centres - Preliminary Report

Green Public Procurement (GPP), in which public authorities procure goods, services and works that have less environmental impact than comparable contracts, has the potential to accelerate the market introduction and uptake of less environmentally damaging technologies. This report forms the basis to develop the EU GPP criteria for Data Centres. The development of EU GPP criteria requires in-depth information about the technical and environmental performance of this product group as well as about the typical procurement processes. This report gathers the necessary background information for that and presents it in a structured form. Environmental improvement areas are identified thorough the life cycle of data centres Furthermore, the main elements of Life Cycle Costs of data centres are presented. The scientific body of evidence gathered will be crosschecked with sector-experienced stakeholders to find the best way to develop the criteria in order to deliver optimum environmental improvements while complying with Public Procurement law and safeguarding the Single Market.JRC.B.5-Circular Economy and Industrial Leadershi

The Brescia Internationally Validated European Guidelines on Minimally Invasive Pancreatic Surgery (EGUMIPS)

Objective: To develop and update evidence-based and consensus-based guidelines on laparoscopic and robotic pancreatic surgery. Summary Background Data: Minimally invasive pancreatic surgery (MIPS), including laparoscopic and robotic surgery, is complex and technically demanding. Minimizing the risk for patients requires stringent, evidence-based guidelines. Since the International Miami Guidelines on MIPS in 2019, new developments and key publications have been reported, necessitating an update. Methods: Evidence-based guidelines on 22 topics in 8 domains were proposed: terminology, indications, patients, procedures, surgical techniques and instrumentation, assessment tools, implementation and training, and artificial intelligence. The Brescia Internationally Validated European Guidelines on Minimally Invasive Pancreatic Surgery (EGUMIPS, September 2022) used the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) methodology to assess the evidence and develop guideline recommendations, the Delphi method to establish consensus on the recommendations among the Expert Committee, and the AGREE II-GRS tool for guideline quality assessment and external validation by a Validation Committee. Results: Overall, 27 European experts, 6 international experts, 22 international Validation Committee members, 11 Jury Committee members, 18 Research Committee members, and 121 registered attendees of the 2-day meeting were involved in the development and validation of the guidelines. In total, 98 recommendations were developed, including 33 on laparoscopic, 34 on robotic, and 31 on general MIPS, covering 22 topics in 8 domains. Out of 98 recommendations, 97 reached at least 80% consensus among the experts and congress attendees, and all recommendations were externally validated by the Validation Committee. Conclusions: The EGUMIPS evidence-based guidelines on laparoscopic and robotic MIPS can be applied in current clinical practice to provide guidance to patients, surgeons, policy-makers, and medical societies.</p

Acute Delta Hepatitis in Italy spanning three decades (1991–2019): Evidence for the effectiveness of the hepatitis B vaccination campaign

Updated incidence data of acute Delta virus hepatitis (HDV) are lacking worldwide. Our aim was to evaluate incidence of and risk factors for acute HDV in Italy after the introduction of the compulsory vaccination against hepatitis B virus (HBV) in 1991. Data were obtained from the National Surveillance System of acute viral hepatitis (SEIEVA). Independent predictors of HDV were assessed by logistic-regression analysis. The incidence of acute HDV per 1-million population declined from 3.2 cases in 1987 to 0.04 in 2019, parallel to that of acute HBV per 100,000 from 10.0 to 0.39 cases during the same period. The median age of cases increased from 27 years in the decade 1991-1999 to 44 years in the decade 2010-2019 (p &lt; .001). Over the same period, the male/female ratio decreased from 3.8 to 2.1, the proportion of coinfections increased from 55% to 75% (p = .003) and that of HBsAg positive acute hepatitis tested for by IgM anti-HDV linearly decreased from 50.1% to 34.1% (p &lt; .001). People born abroad accounted for 24.6% of cases in 2004-2010 and 32.1% in 2011-2019. In the period 2010-2019, risky sexual behaviour (O.R. 4.2; 95%CI: 1.4-12.8) was the sole independent predictor of acute HDV; conversely intravenous drug use was no longer associated (O.R. 1.25; 95%CI: 0.15-10.22) with this. In conclusion, HBV vaccination was an effective measure to control acute HDV. Intravenous drug use is no longer an efficient mode of HDV spread. Testing for IgM-anti HDV is a grey area requiring alert. Acute HDV in foreigners should be monitored in the years to come

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries