Product Design

Our Approach

Black & Decker uses a formal product development process when designing and introducing new products.  This process includes steps where key environmental issues are addressed and design decisions are made to ensure that environmental regulations are met and adverse environmental impacts are minimized.  The specific process details may vary between divisions due to product differences; however, Life-Cycle thinking serves as the basis of the process.  Additionally, Black & Decker continuously benchmarks leading companies and outside experts to assess tools and methods to improve their Design for Environment (DfE) program. 

Policy and Practice

a. Life-Cycle Thinking

Engineers at Black & Decker consider the entire life-cycle of a product, from raw material selection to the end of the product’s life.  During each stage of the product development process, different activities are undertaken to ensure that environmental impacts are minimized.  For example, Life-Cycle Assessments (LCAs) have been completed on certain power tools to provide designers with insight as to where environmental improvements can be made.   The figure below highlights some of the Life-Cycle Thinking activities at Black & Decker.
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Life-Cycle Thinking at Black & Decker

b. Extended Product Life

Black & Decker designs are engineered and tested for long useable life requirements and many tools are designed with replaceable parts which helps keep tools from entering the waste stream prematurely.  Typical product life tests conducted on Black & Decker tools include motor lifetime tests, drop tests, and switch reliability tests.

c. Energy

Black & Decker has taken a leadership role in reducing standby power use by helping to create the EPA ENERGY STAR® standard for battery charging systems.  Black & Decker is an ENERGY STAR Partner and is in the process of approving many of its battery charger systems for the ENERGY STAR Label.     

DC9000 Li-Ion Charger

ENERGY STAR Label

d. Environmental Impact

While not the primary focus of our product development efforts, Black & Decker does produce a number of environmentally friendly products, such as electric outdoor tools that generate no emissions, and low-lead plumbing fixtures.