Our Commitment to Environmental Quality
Dataram is focusing on our environment by eliminating our use of dangerous chemicals and encouraging environmental conservation. We believe it is part of our corporate responsibility to help ensure that future generations can live in a world where pollution is reduced.
At Dataram, environmental soundness is ranked as a top priority item in business management. We are fully committed to reducing the environmental impact of our products. As part of this effort, we are promoting the procurement of products, components, materials, and raw materials that have minimal environmental impact (“green procurement”) at every stage of their lifecycles – from procurement of raw materials to manufacturing and distribution to consumption and final disposal.
Dataram’s RoHS Compliance Management Statement
The European Union’s Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directive (2002/95/EC) became valid in July 2006. It restricts the use of certain hazardous substances commonly used in the manufacturing of electronic equipment. Upon adopting the RoHS Directive, Dataram began converting our manufacturing and procurement processes to achieve full compliance.
As with any industry regulation, a first step to ensuring RoHS compliance is to understand the requirements, exemptions and the enforcement aspects of the legislation. RoHS requires manufacturers to know the compliance status for each part and material in their products. To demonstrate RoHS compliance for products on the market, companies must put proper controls in place and document their effectiveness. Reliable data management is key to proving compliance and demonstrating due diligence.
At Dataram, we use a central robust data management system to document our RoHS compliance. Our compliance information is incorporated in our product lifecycle management (PLM) system, which enables us to track compliance status throughout the development, testing and manufacturing stages of a product’s lifecycle.
Initial verification is conducted via a review of manufacturer’s compliance data followed by acquisition of the Material Declaration Sheet (MDS) in all cases where such information is available. After acceptance, the data are appended to our comprehensive PLM system.
Next, Dataram uses a “device qualification program” to track approved part numbers which are permitted for use. This method guards against the use of unauthorized devices after the primary product release. Once entered and approved, all parts and bills of material (BOM) are controlled via our engineering change notice (ECN) and corresponding documented approval process. This ensures compliance re-assessment for new revisions released into production.
Because Dataram tracks compliance against each internal part number, we can ensure that all parts are accounted for and approved for production. Our system also permits all users to track compliance in real-time from the same centralized system and allows for compliance roll-up through the assembly levels to the product level. This greatly improves efficiency, reduces errors, and enables us to develop efficient designs based on dynamic environmental compliance requirements. In addition, purchasing, manufacturing and quality organizations have access to the compliance data in order to implement compliance controls and record results (such as part screening and supplier reports) back into the compliance record.
As an ongoing confirmation tool, manufacturer part numbers are 100% verified against the Dataram PLM system at the time of receipt and then again at production inspection where a component ID is performed. Although this process requires constant monitoring and verification, it provides protection against possible device variations throughout the build and shipping processes.
Dataram's ISO 14001 Environmental Management System
ISO 14001 is a series of international environmental management system standards that provide guidelines for developing, implementing and maintaining an environmental management system (EMS). Dataram has implemented an ISO 140001 EMS at our manufacturing facility in Ivyland, PA to help manage and reduce our impact on the environment in an increasing competitive marketplace.
Dataram’s EMS helps us to evaluate our environmental impact and make modifications that will improve the environment without negatively impacting the company. It enables us to identify new technologies and materials, decrease the volume and types of wastes we generate, and increase compliance with regulatory requirements.
Dataram's Environmental Policy
Dataram’s environmental policy is the foundation of our EMS. It comprises four environmental commitments:
• Define and pursue objectives and targets
• Reduce or prevent pollution
• Make continual improvements
• Meet our environmental requirements
For more information about Dataram’s green initiative, please contact us.
