Overview
ABSTRACT
Technological obsolescence is inevitable in all systems and products using electronic components. The phenomenon is catalyzed by competition, requiring a complex management model and generating, by both programmed and spontaneous obsolescence, one of the largest flows of electrical and electronic equipment EEE waste in the world. This article deals with the problem of managing the obsolescence of electrical and electronic components in long-life cycle systems. It then addresses the obsolescence of small electrical and electronic equipment’s, their production, consumption and obsolescence trends. An overview of the environmental impact is proposed at the end to promote sustainability.
Read this article from a comprehensive knowledge base, updated and supplemented with articles reviewed by scientific committees.
Read the articleAUTHORS
-
Imen ZAABAR: Doctoral student - École de Technologie Supérieure, Montreal, Canada
-
Yvan BEAUREGARD: Professor - École de Technologie Supérieure, Montreal, Canada
INTRODUCTION
The implementation of new technologies renders their predecessors obsolete, useless and difficult to maintain, due to the decreasing availability of components, suppliers and technical expertise. According to the IEC 62402:2019 the risk of obsolescence is inevitable. Studies have shown that up to 70% of COTS (Commerce Off The Shelf) electronic components are obsolete before the product is launched on the market.
The electronics industry is currently one of the most dynamic industries in the global economy. Growth is massive, and investment and competition have been stimulated by the growing demand for innovative new technologies. New components are being introduced to the market ever more rapidly, with smaller sizes, lower power consumption, differentiation, customization and enhanced functionality, leading not only to the obsolescence of older versions but also to the growing complexity of technological equipment. As a result, the useful life of components diminishes as more advanced ones become available. This incompatibility of life-cycle durations poses multiple problems for manufacturers of systems with long life-cycles. This discrepancy is at the root of the technological obsolescence discussed in section 1 . One example is the aeronautics sector, where aircraft depend on the same components and suppliers as the higher-volume consumer electronics market. The life cycle of components is normally around two to three years, whereas the life cycle, from procurement to availability of spare parts, in aeronautics is much longer, estimated at over fifty years. As aircraft manufacturers are not relatively large buyers of these components, electronics manufacturers tend to redirect their production and consolidate their capacity for the new technology components demanded by high-volume customers, i.e. the mass-produced electronics market, such as small household appliances, video games and photographic equipment. This creates supply difficulties for the sector: the component becomes obsolete because it is no longer available from the original manufacturer. A secondary component market then emerges, and components generally remain available...
Exclusive to subscribers. 97% yet to be discovered!
You do not have access to this resource.
Click here to request your free trial access!
Already subscribed? Log in!
The Ultimate Scientific and Technical Reference
KEYWORDS
Technological obsolescence | EEE waste | Sustainability
CAN BE ALSO FOUND IN:
Home Environment - Safety Environment Technological obsolescence of electronic components and equipments: issues and challenges
Home Power and energy Conversion of electrical energy Technological obsolescence of electronic components and equipments: issues and challenges
Home Innovations Eco-design and sustainable innovation Technological obsolescence of electronic components and equipments: issues and challenges
This article is included in
Electronics
This offer includes:
Knowledge Base
Updated and enriched with articles validated by our scientific committees
Services
A set of exclusive tools to complement the resources
Practical Path
Operational and didactic, to guarantee the acquisition of transversal skills
Doc & Quiz
Interactive articles with quizzes, for constructive reading
Technological obsolescence of electronic components and equipment: issues and challenges
Bibliography
Bibliography
Standards and norms
- Gestion de l'obsolescence - IEC 62402 - 2019
Regulations (non-exhaustive list)
Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/1784 of 1 October 2019 establishing ecodesign requirements for welding equipment in accordance with Directive 2009/125/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (Official Journal of the European Union of 25 October 2019)
Directive 2011/65/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of June 8, 2011 on the...
Exclusive to subscribers. 97% yet to be discovered!
You do not have access to this resource.
Click here to request your free trial access!
Already subscribed? Log in!
The Ultimate Scientific and Technical Reference