It is pointed out that in today's regulatory environment, all materials and processes either under development or now in use will be subject to intense evaluation for environmental impact. Many current materials and processes may well have mandated changes. This is not limited to insulating materials, but will include even the most basic processes such as soldering, painting, parts punching, and cleaning. The list of affected manufacturing processes and materials is very extensive, and essentially no organization is too small to not be affected. Another area of major concern is that of reevaluating all current manufacturing processes. Mandated phase-out of ozone-depleting chemicals and reduction in wastes will provide exceptional challenges in the next decade. The author attempts to provide some suggestions as to where effort might be placed and how to benefit from the impending changes.
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