Electronic systems from the perspective of sustainability and reliability

This paper explores the relationship between reliability and sustainable development for electronic products in the context of product life. The objective of the paper is to emphasize that a sustainable solution can be designed for each product depending on its expected life in service and its life cycle environment. The assessment of electronics concerning environmental impacts, economic costs and social aspects is described and first results from assessing social aspects are pointed out. Case studies of electronic systems with range of expected usable life are discussed and issues pertaining to their reliability and sustainability are reviewed