Skip to 3M.com Primary Navigation Skip to Site Navigation Skip to Main Content

Sustainability

 
Vision & Strategy
Corporate Policies & Standards
Environmental Management & Performance
Stakeholders, Partnerships & Community
Our People
Our Sustainability Report
Resources

 

Life Cycle Management


Product Stewardship


An integral part of the 3M's EHS Management System is Life Cycle Management (LCM). Instead of focusing only on the manufacturing process to control environmental, health, safety and energy effects, LCM places a focus on products throughout their entire life cycle, from manufacturing through customer use and disposal. In 2001, 3M adopted a new Life Cycle Management Policy requiring all business units to conduct LCM reviews for all new products and for existing products on a prioritized basis.


With hundreds of new products introduced each year, 3M has a continuous flow of opportunities to significantly add to our environmental, health and safety progress. Life Cycle Management (LCM) is a formal part of 3M's new product introduction process worldwide.


Cross-functional, new product introduction teams use a Life Cycle Management matrix to systematically and holistically address the environmental, health and safety (EHS) opportunities and issues over each stage of their product's life.


3M's LCM process focuses on the broader impact of products and processes over their entire life cycle:


  • from development and manufacturing
  • through distribution and customer use
  • to disposal

Life Cycle Management Process

LCM at 3M is supported by:


  • 3M corporate staff groups, including the Medical Department and Environmental, Health and Safety Operations Department, help business units in the commercialization of safer and more environmentally responsible products.
  • 3M Technology Centers that help improve product technologies to reduce and manage EHS impacts.
  • Technology study reports and success stories promoting the sharing of new EHS ideas and results within the 3M technical community.