last detail

Down to the last detail.
A story of environmental awareness, told through the development, production, use and disposal of BeoCenter 2

Contents

5. Foreword 6. Bang & Olufsens Environmental Policy 7. Eco-friendly Design 8. Environmental Assessment of the BeoCenter 2 10. Working Environment on the Assembly Line 11. Energy Consumption 12. Disposal of the BeoCenter 2 14. Glossary 15. Technical Specications

Foreword

In recent years, the focus of public interest in the environment has shifted from being solely concerned with environmental issues relating to factories towards an increasing awareness of the environmental aspects of the products themselves. Consequently, Bang & Olufsen is currently nding that interest in their products environmental properties such as energy consumption and unwanted materials is rising faster than interest in the environmental impact of the business as a whole. We therefore regard it as our duty not merely to work purposefully and deliberately towards reducing the environmental impact of the business as a whole, but also to design our products with the greatest possible consideration for the environment. Environmental issues of many different kinds are debated in the media. Naturally we have opinions on these issues, but to maintain a xed point of reference and to avoid short-sighted or insufciently comprehensive environmental solutions, we think in terms of a life- cycle perspective. In this way we ensure that we keep focusing on the most important aspect of our products overall service life from start to nish, even when working on specic problems. Openness and dialogue regarding the environmental matters that can be affected circumstances Bang & Olufsen can inuence are important to us. So every year we publish To the last detail which you are now holding. Our object for doing so is to provide information about the environmental aspects that interest our customers and dealers most in other words those that affect our products. We hope that To the last detail will give you an idea of how our product developers consider not only the products but also the environment when developing Bang & Olufsen products. Of course, we still prepare an environmental audit for our manufacturing process, which can be ordered by phoning our environmental department on +18.

On behalf of the Board

Torben Ballegaard Srensen President and CEO
Bang & Olufsens environmental policy
Every human action has an impact on the surrounding environment. This also applies to the manufacture and use of the companys products. Bang & Olufsen works constantly to reduce its environmental impact and to establish a mutual balance between this impact and consideration of our products operational features, economy, service life and aesthetics, so that we can count ourselves among the best in the industry. We will openly communicate our environmental prole and publish an annual environmental report. We want to contribute to global, sustainable development, and to view our activities in a life cycle perspective. Development (idea, design and construction): this is the creative process where the products environmental properties are dened, and it is here that we act to reduce the environmental impact in the following phases of the life cycle. Raw materials In our choice of materials we aim to avoid substances that might be environmentally problematic. 6 Production In choosing production methods and equipment we will give a high priority to cleaner technology. We emphasise consideration of the immediate environment, and creating a safe, healthy working environment for our employees, with a focus on improving both the physical and the psychological working environment. In choosing suppliers we aim to ensure that they have an appropriate environmental approach and attitude. We will conduct an ongoing dialogue with suppliers on the creation of good environmental conditions in the part of the products life cycle for which they are responsible. Transport We will make environmental demands of our transport providers in terms of high utilization rates and optimal use of technology for transport units. Use We will strive to ensure that the use of our products is perceived to be problemfree in the immediate customer environment, that the products have a long service life and that they have low power consumption when in use. Disposal We will strive to ensure that the products components are suitable for recycling, and that signicant items can be identied when dismantled, so that they can be processed correctly for disposal or recycling.

Eco-friendly design

At Bang & Olufsen we endeavour to design eco-friendly products. To our way of thinking environment-friendly properties are a matter of course, something that we believe the customer takes for granted and expects to be taken care of. For Bang & Olufsen, eco-friendly design means that we carefully consider the life cycle of the product as a whole as early as the design process. During this phase we make a number of environmental demands on our products, e.g. low standby consumption and not using prohibited substances. We perform tests that simulate dismantling for disposal after 15 to 20 years of use, to make sure the product can be divided into the proper fractions. The purpose of all this is to achieve environmental improvements compared to previous products by incorporating the life cycle into the development of the device. If we are to sell our products after July 2006, they must be free of lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, PBBs and PBDEs. The nal two substances are brominated ame retardants that have typically had plastic added to them to reduce ammability. We phased out these two substances from our products in the early 90s. The connecting cable that links the master unit with the socket unit is PVC-free. PVC is usually used for cables, since it is a material that has a good ameretardant effect. Unfortunately it also has environmental disadvantages, since it requires separate disposal. Sometimes the PVC used in cables also has softeners added to it to make the cable soft and exible. Some of these softeners are suspected of being hormone-disruptive. For this reason we have decided to use PVC-free cable. However, it is still only for the European market that the connecting cable of the BeoCenter 2 is PVC-free. This is because there are extremely strict requirements in the USA as regards the ammability of cables, so we have been unable to nd alternatives to PVC. The European PVC-free cable does of course conform to all current ammability requirements. We work with our suppliers on an ongoing basis to ensure that they can supply components that satisfy both the authorities and Bang & Olufsens own environmental requirements.
Environmental assessment of the BeoCenter 2
All products affect the environment through their consumption of resources and energy. Many of these effects are determined as early as the design phase. So how much does BeoCenter 2 affect the environment? An environmental assessment of the product can give us the answer. The environmental assessment (or life cycle assessment, as it is also called) is a matter of looking at what happens in the life cycle of the product as a whole and not just concentrating on part of it (e.g. our own production process). By examining the product throughout its life cycle we ensure that the environmental input is concentrated where it will do the environment most good. The life cycle of a product consists of the following phases: extraction of raw materials, product manufacture, use, disposal and transport. Characteristically, electronic products make the greatest environmental impact during the usage phase, i.e., when the device is used by the customer. This also applies to the BeoCenter 2, so in our opinon, redcing the energy consumed by our devices is very important. 8 Resource consumption Consumption of resources is assessed with reference to the number of years for which the resource may be expected to be obtainable at the current rate of consumption. This means that resources that are only available in limited amounts are given a high weighting, while resources that are in plentiful supply are given a low weighting. Resource consumption is expressed in thousandths of the volume of a resource that is available to a person and his / her descendants (mPR). Materials that can be recycled on disposal are credited in the environmental assessment. BeoCenter 2 consists chiey of the metals zinc, aluminum, copper and lead. Copper is found in printed circuit boards and lead in soldered joints. About 20% of the total weight of BeoCenter 2 is made up of zinc, and since zinc also has a short supply horizon it is given a high weighting. Because it is easy to cast intricate components in zinc, this material was chosen for the rear cover. Environmental effects The environmental impact is evaluated with reference to the objectives dened by the Danish environmental authorities for 2000. This is dened as the products contribution in thousandths compared to the targets dened per person in 2000 (mPEM). The main area to which BeoCenter 2 contributes is to the greenhouse effect, acidication and various forms of waste. These contributions stem chiey from the consumption of electricity when the product is used. As an example, the usage phase accounts for almost 75% of the products overall contribution to the greenhouse effect. Radioactive waste originates from the production of electricity in markets where nuclear power is used. Explanations of the various environmental effects can be found in the glossary on page 14.

Consumption of resources / Environmental Impact
Lead Zinc Hard coal Crude oil Nickel Natural gas Manganese Iron Lignite Copper Aluminum Raw materials Production Use Transport Disposal

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Raw materials Production Use Transport Disposal
Nutrient enrichment Photochemical ozone Acidication Slag and ash Radioactive waste High-volume waste Human toxicity Greenhouse effect
Working environment on the Assembly Line
As early as the product design process, assembly production technicians are involved in the project to ensure a good working environment during product manufacture and to prevent production startup problems. Some of the choices that are made during the design process are very important to the working environment. We make an effort to adapt our processes to our employees, and not the other way round. For this reason, the Production Department has worked very closely with the Research and Development Department on such matters as the location of sockets and socket types chosen for maximum suitability as regards assembly and the working environment. The assembly lines are designed so that working postures can be varied, and the workers are instructed in ergonomics. Using a power screwdriver for assembly work may cause major stress to the arm as a result of the machines recoil. To prevent this, we have bought soft grip screwdrivers that substantially reduce recoil, thereby minimising shoulder and elbow problems. Instead of the traditional trolley used to transport materials between the assembly lines, we have introduced an incline so that the materials transport themselves down to the next assembly line. This makes it unnecessary to lift materials on and off the trolleys. We have invested in an automatic tape machine because of the awkward working height on the packing line. The worker inserts the device into its packaging and guides it into the tape machine, which tapes the top and bottom at the same time. Even if every assembly line is correctly designed from an ergonomic viewpoint, there is still a risk of monotonous, repetitive work (work leading to RSI). Monotinous repetitive work is dened as work in which the work cycle (the time from start to nish of a product / article) is less than 30 seconds, or in which uniform movements take place for more than 50% of the period of work. A worker should therefore not spend more than three or four hours a day on an assembly line that carries a risk of RSI. To prevent RSI, all production employees have been trained to work in a number of different assembly functions, so that they can rotate between these various functions and have a varied working day. The workers themselves plan when and how often this rotation will take place. At least every third year an assessment of all workplaces (WA) takes place, which, in addition to purely ergonomic factors also takes into account other working environment conditions, such as noise level, chemical exposure and indoor climate.

Energy Consumption

We pay a lot of attention to reducing the power consumption of our products, especially when they are on standby. This is because the greatest environmental impact caused by our devices arises from their energy consumption during use by the customer. Standby consumption (indicated by the little red lamp) is often regarded as a waste of resources, which was indeed the case with old devices that had high energy consumption. However, standby is a necessary if we are to activate our products by remote control. It is also not possible to operate the product in a link setup if it is switched off by hand. BeoCenter 2 is two products in one an audio product and a DVD. The DVD can even be viewed in one room while you listen to radio in another. The total annual energy consumption of the BeoCenter 2 is 54 kWh, which is equivalent to a 60 W bulb burning for 40 days. This 54 kWh assumes that BeoCenter 2 is on standby for 18.5 hours and in turned on for 4.5 hours each day. When the device is on, it consumes about 22 W, depending on the power sources used. When on standby, consumption is 1.5 W. The standby consumption of BeoCenter 2 complies with the voluntary agreement on the reduction of standby consumption of audio products which we have entered into with the European trade organization and the EU Commission. This agreement species a maximum standby consumption of 3 W for 2004. Nor do we intend to leave it at that. We are still working on making further reductions in standby consumption in future generations of BeoCenter 2.

Disposal of BeoCenter 2

From the year 2005, all EU countries must collect and process all electrical and electronic waste. During processing the devices will be divided into their different material components, so that valuable and scarce resources are recycled for new materials, and environmentally problematic fractions can be disposed of properly. As BeoCenter 2 contains a wide range of resources, requirements have been imposed during the design phase to ease of separation on disposal, so that most of the materials in the product can be recycled. We carry out a disassembly test to simulate what happens when a product is disposed of. We use it to nd out whether it is possible to separate the device into its different fractions. The results of thetest are then used in designing new products. Most of BeoCenter 2 is made up the metals zinc, aluminum and iron. These metals are sorted into their different types, and if necessary compressed to form units to be melted down at a smelting works or foundry for recycling. The second largest element is PCBs. The batteries are removed, and then the rest of the PCB goes to a smelting works where copper and other precious metals such as gold and silver can be recovered. Copper can also be recovered from the cables. Plastic is only used for small components in the BeoCenter 2, like PCB holders. It is not economic to recycle these because of their size. Instead, they will be left with the PCBs and will therefore be burned with the rest of the organic PCB materials.

Material content

The material content of the BeoCenter 2, broken down by weight.

Metals

Plastic

Glossary

Greenhouse effect: Heating of the earths atmosphere caused by greenhouse gases absorbing heat radiation rising from the earths surface towards outer space. Hazardous waste: Waste that needs to be taken to special treatment plants because of its environmentally hazardous content. Acidication: A reduction of the pH level in the ground or lakes as a result of emissions of substances that act as acids in the environment. Photochemical ozone creation: The creation of ozone and other gases in the atmosphere from volatile organic compounds such as solvents. Recycling: Either by recovering materials used for reuse or by utilising the energy through incineration. Recycling: When the product or material is used in precisely the same form (as for example in the case of beer and soft drink bottles). Human toxicity: The toxic effect of a substance on people exposed to the substance through inhalation, skin contact or consumption, e.g. with food or liquids. Nutrient enrichment: The leaching of nutrientsinto the aquatic environment. Persistent toxicity: Substances that do not easily break down in the environment, and can thus exist in concentrations with a potentially toxic effect. Radioactive waste: Waste from nuclear power plants. Taken to special depots for radioactive waste. Slag and ash: Residual products from the incineration process at coal-red power stations and waste incineration plants. High-volume waste: Household waste, etc. taken to rubbish dumps. Characterized by the fact that it contains no substances hazardous to the environment and only creates a problem by virtue of the space that it takes up. Eco-toxicity: A toxic effect that changes the structure or function of ecosystems.
BeoCenter 2 Technical Specications
Master unit: Dimensions W x H x D / Weight Cabinet surface: Remote control: Socket unit: Dimensions W x H x D / Weight Cabinet surface: Power consumption: Audio: RDS FM-receiver: Digital output: CD naming: Playback: Signal-to-noise ratio: Video: Formats: DVD region: Color system: Analog copy protection: Type no. x 15 x 23 cm / 4.3 kg Aluminum Beo 4 recommended Type no. x 16 x 6,5 cm / 3 kg Black Typically 22 W (standby < 2 W)
60 radio stations with naming facility Linear PCM, MPEG-2, AC-3, DTS Naming facility for 200 CDs DVD-video, Video CD, CD-A, CD-R, CD-RW, CD-MP3 Typically 105 DB, A-weighted in audio function
RGB, S-video (Y-C), CVBS (combined video) Depending on country PAL / NTSC depending on regional setting Depending on DVD standard

BeoCenter 2 DAB Press release, November 2004
Bang & Olufsen introduces DAB radio to BeoCenter 2
Bang & Olufsen now offers the BeoCenter 2 home entertainment centre with an optional, built-in DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) module. DAB is a new digital technology for broadcasting of radio and data services. This new technology, which is considered the future of radio broadcasting, gives you a wider choice of radio stations in higher quality and at the same time it reduces interference. Bang & Olufsen has been at the forefront of DAB research and development in Denmark from the beginning over ten years ago, and now the technology has matured to the point that DAB is becoming an essential part of a home entertainment system. The BeoCenter 2 comprises both audio and video sources, offering playback of CD and DVD as well AM/FM radio in a compact and visually exciting design, elegantly crafted in aluminium, and providing a two-component solution that cleans up the usual mess of cables and connections. The large display offers easy management of the data services also provided by DAB, and BeoCenter 2 is therefore able to handle the rapid growth in digital radio transmissions that is already happening now. What is DAB? Digital Audio Broadcasting is a technology that was ratified as early as 1991. Originally the technology was developed for car radios, to achieve improved sound quality with the benefit of not having to change radio channels all the time. In Denmark, Bang & Olufsen developed the first 500 DAB radios for the Danish national radio broadcaster for testing and experimenting with the new technology. DAB is broadcasted on terrestrial networks, and CD-like quality radio programmes are received without any annoying interference and signal distortion. Aside from distortionfree reception and high quality sound, DAB offers further advantages, as it has been designed for the multimedia age. The DAB format is developed for transmitting audio, but text, pictures, data and even videos and surround sound could also be transmitted using DAB in the future.
Bang & Olufsens Mediacenter The images above may be downloaded free of charge from: http://mediacenter.bang-olufsen.dk. Please note that if this is your first visit to the Mediacenter, you must choose Register as a new user. A password will then be sent to you automatically via e-mail, and you will not be required to register again.
At Bang & Olufsen, we see DAB as an excellent supplement to FM radio for the foreseeable future, says Torben Ballegrd Srensen, CEO, Bang & Olufsen. It will not replace FM radio, and most DAB radios will continue to have an FM receiver, so you will always have a choice. Our BeoCenter 2 home entertainment centre offers this choice to our customers, as well as ensuring a quality listening experience now - and for many years ahead. DAB experienced with BeoCenter 2 BeoCenter 2 is designed to be the home entertainment master, distributing sound as well as picture not just in the main room, but also throughout the home, with all BeoLink-enabled products. This now also includes digital radio programmes. BeoLink is Bang & Olufsens unique home integration system, based on the principle of move and share the experience not the equipment, with everything controlled by the Beo4 remote control. DAB radio provides many advantages for the listener. DAB is able to meet future demands for a wider choice of radio listening with access to data and other services. Furthermore, listeners quality expectations will continue to rise, and higher quality also means constant sound quality; no analogue effects, such as fading and noise, as can be experienced with FM today. Together with better reception on the radio, DAB is also free from interference from lighting, computers, and other electronic devices. These quality expectations are not just met but even exceeded, when listening to DAB radio on the BeoCenter 2 home entertainment centre, together with loudspeakers from the BeoLab range.
Founded in 1925 in Struer, Denmark, Bang & Olufsen a/s is world renowned for its distinctive range of quality consumer electronic products that represent our vision: Courage to constantly question the ordinary in search of surprising, long-lasting experiences. The Bang & Olufsen Group manufactures a unique range of televisions, music systems, loudspeakers, telephones, medical, and multimedia products. With more than 2,400 employees and products sold in more than 60 countries worldwide, Bang & Olufsen's turnover for the 2003/2004 financial year was DKK 3,613 million (EUR 486 million). Further information on Bang & Olufsen a/s is available from www.bang-olufsen.com