End of Life Management of Automation Devices

Authors:	Kopacek Peter, Vienna University of Technology, Austria Kopacek Bernd, ECOTRONICS GmbH, Austria
Topic:	9.5 SWIIS
Session:	‘Not in my backyard’ – Inappropriate Uses of Technology
Keywords:	Automation Devices, End of Life Management, Recycling, Disassembly, Ethics

Abstract

End of Life Management (EOL) is currently a hot topic in the electronics industry. Currently mostly IT equipment and goods of consumer electronics are considered. In the nearest future automation equipment have also to be taken into account. There are three possibilities depending on the age and kind of the device: Resell – Reuse – Recycle called the “3R`s”.For recycling fully or semi-automated disassembly will gain in importance in the nearest future especially for automation devices. Developers of automation devices have to take into account EOL because of regulations and laws as well as according to ethical codes contributing to protection of the environment.