[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 83 (Monday, April 29, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18728-18729]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-10538]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[FRL-5459-8]
Common Sense Initiative Council (CISC)
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The Life Cycle Management/Supplier Partnership Project Team,
of the Automobile Manufacturing Sector Subcommittee of the Common Sense
Initiative, recognizes that opportunities exist to reduce the overall
environmental impacts of automobile manufacturing by engaging in life
cycle management with its suppliers. The Project Team goals are to:
develop principles and strategies for the application of life cycle
management in the automobile manufacturing sector as a means of further
reducing environmental impacts in an economically efficient manner; and
demonstrate or pilot test the principles and strategies through
manufacturer/supplier partnerships in a manner that produces positive
results (i.e., cleaner, cheaper, smarter) and is applicable to and
beneficial for the whole sector. To this end, an automotive supplier
sector, instrument panels (excluding heating/air conditioning and the
electronic components), was identified to bring into this project. The
EPA and Project Team are soliciting the interest of instrument panel
suppliers in this project. Further, EPA and the Project Team are asking
instrument panel suppliers who wish to participate in this project to
identify themselves.
DATES: Please respond by no later than May 29, 1996.
ADDRESSES: If desired, written submissions must be sent to: Ms. Julie
Lynch (7409); Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics; Environmental
Protection Agency; 401 M Street SW., Washington, DC 20460.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Julie Lynch; telephone number:
202-260-4000; Internet: lynch.julie@epamail.epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Introduction
As a part of the Automobile Manufacturing Sector Subcommittee of
the Common Sense Initiative (CSI), the Life Cycle Management/Supplier
Partnership (LCM/SP) Project Team is:
(1) Developing principles and strategies for the application of
life cycle management in the automobile manufacturing sector as a means
of further reducing environmental impacts in an economically efficient
manner.
(2) Demonstrating the principles and strategies of life cycle
management in automotive manufacturing through manufacturer/supplier
partnerships in a manner that produces positive results (i.e., cleaner,
cheaper, smarter) and is applicable to and beneficial for the whole
sector.
The CSI is an EPA sponsored program to involve stakeholders in the
identification of ``cleaner, cheaper, and smarter'' solutions to
environmental challenges. The CSI encompasses six industrial sectors
including automobile manufacturing. There are a number of projects
being conducted within the CSI Automobile Manufacturing Sector
involving alternative regulatory system development, community-based
technical assistance and involvement, input on existing regulations, as
well as the development and demonstration of principles and strategies
for life cycle management through a pilot project utilizing a
manufacturer/supplier partnership. The Project Team involved in the
LCM/SP was initially established in January of 1995 with the creation
of CSI and has representatives from auto manufacturers and trade
associations, EPA, state environmental agencies, and environmental and
community groups.
II. The Life Cycle Management/Supplier Partnership Project
The LCM/SP Project Team participants have come together to discuss
and develop pre-competitive approaches to reduce costs and the
environmental impacts along the supply chain of auto assembly plants.
The Team worked to identify and select a particular automotive supply
sector to bring into the project. Tier I instrument panels (referred to
hereafter as instrument panels), excluding the electronic and heating/
air conditioning components, were selected.
The EPA and the Project Team are soliciting the interest of
instrument panel suppliers in this project. Further, EPA and the
Project Team are asking instrument panel suppliers who may wish to
participate in this project to identify themselves.
[[Page 18729]]
Project partners will work together to:
Develop life cycle management principles and strategies
concerning the supply of parts and materials to auto companies;
Design a pilot project workplan to test the life cycle
management principles and strategies for the supply chain of an
automotive component;
Implement the pilot project; and
Document lessons learned through the revision of the life
cycle management principles and strategies.
The instrument panel supply sector was targeted based on a number
of criteria including current use of life cycle management,
opportunities for partnerships, opportunities to reduce environmental
impacts at the assembly plant and along the supply chain, and the
potential to improve environmental quality in minority and economically
disadvantaged neighborhoods.
As a stakeholder (i.e., one with a stake in the development and
outcome) in this area, interested instrument panel suppliers could
realize a number of benefits. In order to remain competitive and reduce
costs, auto manufacturers are developing new management systems to
streamline the auto design and assembly process. These new systems will
have a direct affect on the supplier's relationship with the auto
manufacturer. Participation in this project offers suppliers a chance
to cooperate with auto manufacturers in their environmental management
programs. More specifically, the project will develop and demonstrate a
model which:
Seeks to identify cost avoidances and savings for both
suppliers and manufacturers, offering participants the financial
benefits of LCM;
Suppliers can use the work with the auto manufacturers in
developing environmental management approaches, such as those being
proposed under the International Organization for Standardization's
forum;
Considers policies and practices and develops principles
and strategies for a new relationship with auto manufacturers that
incorporates supply considerations early in the product design and
throughout the assembly of the car; and
Identifies potential pollution prevention benefits such as
reduced environmental and occupational liabilities, reduced waste
treatments and disposal costs, and, etc.
Participants in this project are expected to exhibit a willingness
to come to the table to discuss, develop, and test life cycle
management principles and strategies in a pre-competitive environment
with the other Project Team members. Those who choose to participate
will do so with the understanding that the work of the Project Team
will be made publicly available. Generally, team meetings are held
monthly. A one year time period is envisioned for this project.
Dated: April 10, 1996.
Carol Kemker,
Designated Federal Officer, CSI Auto Manufacturing Sector.
[FR Doc. 96-10538 Filed 4-26-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P
