Rewards for the responsible
01 February 2011
With the dust barely settling on the 2010 e-Legacy awards, or so it seems to us at EPD anyway, it is already time to get the 2011 awards programme underway.
It is always an exciting time as the e-Legacy Awards have, year-on-year, grown alongside the electronics industry to reflect the increasing awareness and importance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). We have tweaked the categories this year to fully cover the practical impact of CSR on the electronics industry.
Winners will be announced at the Awards Dinner that will take place on 13 September, once again at the Kensington Roof Gardens in London – a prestigious venue for prestigious awards! For those who aspire to being at the ceremony and picking up an award, the process starts here.
The Awards are open to everyone and free to enter, so if you believe that your company, some individuals within it, or a company that you work with deserves to be a recipient of an e-Legacy Award then why not enter?
The eight categories are laid out below. Entry is very simple, taking only a few minutes, and is done online at http://www.epdonthenet.net/awards.aspx. Full details of the entry procedure are available on the website.
Closing date for entries will be 27 May 2011, after which a panel of judges, comprised of industry experts, sponsors’ representatives and the EPD editorial team, will select four finalists in each category. These finalists will then be voted for by EPD’s readers. Winning an e-Legacy award is therefore a genuine endorsement and accolade from the whole of the UK’s electronics industry.
The categories for 2011 are as follows:
Investment in Education and Training
To recognise investment in the next-generation of electronic engineers
Entries will demonstrate the investment in education and training by electronics companies. This can be in the form of equipment donations to all levels of students; schools, universities and colleges, whether for curricular support or for extra-curricular projects. It will also recognise equipment or support given to specialists clubs or interest groups. Schemes or initiatives, whether large or small; local, national or international that encourage an interest in electronic engineering will be eligible. Companies who show an exceptional commitment to training, either internally or to customers, are also appropriate for this category.
The EM&T Green Manufacturing Award
For companies that have introduced an environmental agenda into their manufacturing strategies
Companies who have altered their manufacturing methods to achieve environmental goals should enter for this category. These goals could be in how the manufacturing facility is run, for example by reducing energy, heat or water usage or by keeping waste to a minimum and recycling to a maximum. Creative use of factory facilities to offer environmentally advantages services, to offer recycling and materials reclamation services for example, could also be considered. Alternatively it could demonstrate changes to the manufacturing process itself, typically to reduce energy or materials usage, or how input at the manufacturing level has altered and improved the environmental performance of the end product.
Medical Advances
For the electronic design that enhances patient care
Entries will demonstrate the relief or treatment of a medical condition; identify conditions for the first time, or in a new, more efficient way than previously possible. The award may also be given to the product or system deemed to deliver treatment in a way that liberates patients, for example reducing hospital stays or visits for monitoring. This category is also open to electronic projects that increase mobility and/or independence of users.
Contribution to Security
For the electronic design that protects individuals or increases security levels
Protection of individuals or communities that rely on electronics design are candidates for this award. Tracking devices, for goods, information or people will be considered. Devices or systems that protect data, through encryption and protection of data retrieval will be considered. Systems and networks that protect areas with automated entry, lighting and surveillance systems are all eligible. Any electronic design that protects property, individuals or personal data, from property surveillance to financial or medical records are invited.
Alternative Energy
For providing the technology behind tomorrow’s energy
The Alternative Energy Award recognises the considerable advances that have been made in this sector in recent years. These advances have now started to make renewable energy resources viable on a large scale. Other categories look at how companies are using renewable energy resources to good effect and managing energy use for environmental and commercial benefit, but this award is aimed at the companies who are providing the electronics developments that are enabling the technology behind ‘renewables’.
Environmental Design
For the components and assemblies that enable environmentally-sensitive electronic design
The foundations of producing environmentally sensitive products are the components that use less power, manage processing efficiently, provide more functions, are significantly smaller or lighter, place less thermal demands on surrounding components and a variety of similar advantages. This category recognises such components – ones that enable new ground to be broken in performance and that consequently benefits the environment.
Green Product of the Year
Recognising end products that set new benchmarks in environmental performance
The award recognises energy-saving or fuel/power-efficient electronic design. Designs that result in energy reduction or reduced emissions will also be eligible. Entries will contribute towards reducing the carbon footprint in portable and mains devices, including anything from domestic appliances to industrial processes and IT infrastructure, as well as vehicles, from cars, to trains to aeroplanes.
Contribution to Sustainability
To encourage the sustainability of the Earth’s resources by using clever electronic and materials design
This award recognises a company programme that encourages the sustainability of electronics and electronics manufacture and raw materials. Electronic-based products that use a high degree of recycled materials are eligible, as are products that themselves are recyclable, or use plentiful materials that have minimal environmental impact in their extraction and processing. Products with inherent longevity or a clear upgrade path to ensure long-life-cycles are also eligible, as are environmentally sound packaging/delivery materials and options.
Please take the time to enter. Apart from getting the recognition your company deserves from industry, the very act of entering is very positive for any company’s internal image – people like to feel good about themselves!
I look forward to seeing your entries!
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