Datasweep stresses operations tie to WEEE regulations

Product life-cycle management (PLM) vendors may have been the first to jump on compliance with Europe's Waste of Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE) regulations, but they aren't the only ones stressing WEEE. Datasweep says the ability of its Advantage operations performance management suite to gather detailed product information addresses WEEE.

WEEE's goal is to minimize negative environmental impacts from electronic products during the products' lifetimes, and when they become waste. PLM vendors—whose systems typically are the central repositories for product-related data—say proper use of their software can aid compliance. But Vladimir Preysman, Datasweep's president and CEO, says compliance with WEEE and another directive known as Restriction of Hazardous Substances, or RoHS, might involve data that PLM packages don't gather.

"Not only do you need the as-built information, but also repair genealogy, and where the product is in use today," says Preysman. "Our solution captures the unit-level detail across the product life cycle needed for compliance."

The newest release of Advantage, Preysman continues, adds functionality for regulated industries such as improved sampling capabilities to address "destructive sample" requirements in batch or discrete manufacturing, and "second signature" capability for compliance with the Food & Drug Administration's Part 11 rule.