[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: [email protected].

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