1. AHAM Sustainable Appliance Standards
Standard Development Process
An Overview
September 2015

2. Objectives
To develop a credible, technically-based multi-attribute measurement tool to avoid a patchwork of product sustainability standards
To develop a measurement tool utilizing collaborative methodology with stakeholders from targeted backgrounds
To utilize Life Cycle and Hot Spot Analysis to define and rank attributes and criteria

3. Consumers could be confused
As businesses have come to recognize that environmental concerns may be translated into a market advantage for certain products and services, various environmental declarations/claims/labels have emerged on products and with respect to services in the marketplace (e.g. natural, recyclable, eco-friendly, low energy, recycled content, etc.). While these have attracted consumers looking for ways to reduce adverse environmental impacts through their purchasing choices, they have also led to some confusion and scepticism on the part of consumers. In addition, several of these eco-label programs are based on standards that have 1 or mostly based on 1 attribute. It is rapidly becoming important to move to multi-attribute standards.
The field of environmental standards also includes an element of conformity assessment, where a company may wish to have their product evaluated by an outside party. Some companies have used an Eco Labeling program to display the environmental impact of the product or company. In many instances, such labelling has taken the form of ecolabels awarded to products approved by an ecolabelling program operated at a national or regional (i.e. multi-countries) level. We are not at the point of being able to describe how this will work in the AHAM program but it is quite likely the standards we are developing will be used for conformity assessment.
Close to 400 “ecologos” across a variety of sectors…

4. Isn’t just one measurement or attribute enough?
Energy Star is largely a single attribute certification program for energy efficiency
Multi-attribute standards are now the expectation
Government procurement
Buildings – LEED
Computers – EPEAT
Office furniture – BIFMA
Retailers
Walmart Supplier Sustainability Assessment
Kohl’s Department Store Reports
One of the most widely known environmental “marks” is the Energy Star blue mark. While it has been in the past almost exclusively related to energy use, Energy Star is beginning to add other environmental aspects, such as: noise on bathroom fans, or performance in dishwashers. Recently, EPA proposed as an part of the revision to the Battery Charger program that manufacturers be required to be part of a recycling program for rechargeable batteries. Energy Star remains largely a single attribute environmental standard.
In the field of environmental impact measurement, many standards developers are beginning to include multiple attributes and develop measurement methods to equate these or balance these multiple attributes. Examples of this are the EPEAT standard for environmental preferable purchasing of laptop computers or photocopiers. The LEVEL program operated by the Business Institutional Furniture Manufacturer’s Association (BIFMA) seeks to do this for office furniture. The new program for gypsum drywall under ULE Standard 100 is also an example.

5. The Intersection of Many Ideas
Standards Organizations
UL Environment, CSA, Good Housekeeping, and Green Seal developing sustainability standards in other sectors
Interested in appliances
Retailers
Government
“There is a need to measure sustainability” – Walmart, Lowe’s, Best Buy
EPA Energy Star writing sustainability measures in electronics sector
Green Guides
Gov’t Procurement
There are a number of organizations that have shown interest in the development of sustainability standards. Testing organizations, Retailers, Government, and from within the industry. AHAM was contacted by testing organizations such as UL Environment and CSA standards early in 2010 to participate with them in developing multi-attribute sustainability standards. Retailers such as Walmart, Lowes, Best Buy have all been engaging in programs to measure sustainability. Government departments have been discussing sustainability standards. And, some AHAM member companies are interested in finding ways to distinguish their products and to respond to consumers.
Create business value
AHAM has the technical leadership and understanding of its products to develop sustainability measurements.

6. AHAM’s Partners
Recognized expertise in developing sustainability standards
Contributing in-house LCA and toxicology expertise
Credible, recognized expertise in the environmental sector
Contributing stakeholder review and document management functions
Internationally recognized sustainability consulting firm
Contributing project management and liaison with key stakeholders

7. Our Collaborative Approach to Standards Development
Mix of two approaches
Optimizes strengths of each approach to achieve common end goal
Stakeholder input + expert judgement
Testing of draft standard prior to publication
Private
Consensus - Based
Limited Stakeholder Input
High-level of stakeholder input
Low credibility
High credibility
Limited transparency
Highly transparent
Not typically accredited
Often accredited
Relatively short time to complete
Time intensive
Lower cost to develop
Higher cost to develop

8. Standards Development – Process
Phase 1
Life Cycle Screening
Define Scope and Elements
Selected Stakeholder Input
Phase 2
Develop Draft Standard
Stakeholder Review
Draft Standard Available for Use
Phase 3
Test Standard
Phase 4
Incorporate Lessons from Testing
Finalize Draft Standard
Phase 5
Finalize Accreditation (ANSI, SCC)
Publish Final Standard
ANSI = American National Standards Institute
SCC = Standards Council of Canada

9. Standard Development -- Progress
Completed
Refrigeration Products (ANSI accredited)
Portable & Floor Care Products
Clothes Washer (nearing ANSI accreditation)
Conventional Cooking
Under development: Dishwasher, Microwave Oven, Clothes Dryer

10. Life Cycle Hot Spot Methodology
Pilot Process

11. Research
For all sustainability standards development, the AHAM-ULe-CSA Task Force reviewed:
Existing LCA research
Manufacturer Interviews
Targeted Life Cycle Assessments & Analysis
Hot Spot Analysis
Hot Button Analysis
Development of internal attributes, criteria, metrics

12. Final Heat Map

13. Attributes & Criteria Selected for Standard*
Selected Criteria
Materials
Materials of Concern
Product Recycled Content
Packaging Recycled Content
De-materialization/ Efficient Use of Raw Materials
Energy and Water Consumption During Use
Manufacturing and Operations
Environmental Management Systems
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Water Use During Manufacturing
Pollution Prevention
Corporate Sustainability
End-of-Life Management
Design for Recycling
Landfill Diversion
Consumables
Instructional Criteria
Machine Embodiments that Address Consumables
Innovation

14. Framework for Development of Standard

15. Challenges: Many Diverse Companies Sustainability Progress Varies
Large, Medium and Small
Sustainability Progress Varies
Very Advanced to Beginning Stages

16. Challenges: Regulatory Environment
Appliance industry is already heavily regulated
Regulatory environment is constantly shifting
Uncertainties in regulatory environment can impact standard development

17. Challenges: Other Stakeholders
Other Stakeholders are developing sustainability programs and/or standards which is creating a patchwork

18. Questions? For more information, please contact:
Sriram Gopal Policy Analyst
Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers th St. NW, Suite 402, Washington, DC Tel: ,  ext. 306