Explain how legislation, consumer pressure and cost each influence the decisions a manufacturer makes about the environmental impact of its products. [5]
Question 1 Report
Explain how legislation, consumer pressure and cost each influence the decisions a manufacturer makes about the environmental impact of its products. [5]
Answer Details
Manufacturers balance legal requirements, market expectations and financial viability when making environmental decisions.
- Legislation: laws set a minimum standard for matters such as emissions, waste, restricted substances and producer responsibility. A company that does not comply may be prevented from trading, so legal compliance is not optional. [2]
- Consumer pressure: customers and large retailers may expect evidence of responsible sourcing even where the law does not require it. They can choose another brand or supplier, so this pressure can push a manufacturer beyond the legal minimum. [2]
- Cost: a measure that makes the product more expensive than customers will pay may not be commercially sustainable, especially if competitors do not face the same requirement. Conversely, reducing material use or energy use is readily adopted when it both reduces impact and saves money. [1]
For full marks, distinguish the minimum imposed by law from the extra expectations created by buyers, then explain how cost affects whether action is practical.
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