VDI 4801:2018-05

The need to increase resource efficiency with the objective of decoupling economic growth from resource consumption is firmly anchored in the policy of the German Government and the EU for some years. With these strategies, supply risks, increasing environmental pollution and climate change can be countered. At the same time competitive advantage can be achieved and the livelihoods of current and future generations be secured. The individual company can reduce its manufacturing costs by increasing resource efficiency, reduce dependency on procurement markets and supply risks, achieve product and process innovation, improve market position and competitiveness and strengthen supplier and customer relationships. Depending on the market position, operational starting position and product range, positioning itself as a contract manufacturer or operating with its own development department, there are in each case a number of strategies and measures to increase resource efficiency for the products and manufacturing processes as well as the upstream and downstream processes. This standard particularly addresses small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and compiles the basics and a step-by-step procedure for determining the starting points for increasing resource efficiency and the implementation of resource efficiency measures, leading the user to the aforementioned advantages. The standard is suitable for both SMEs that are experienced in dealing with product-related performance indicators, as well as for those who do not use them so far.