The Centre for Sustainable Consumption is pleased to announce that the second event to be held as part of the EPSRC
Network on Product Life Spans will take place on 31st March/1st April 2005.

        A half day workshop starting at 14.00 on 31st March will develop a research agenda on product life spans from research
ideas raised at the first EPSRC seminar.  A full day policy seminar on 1st April will discuss how longer lasting products might be
encouraged through public policy within the context of the Government's framework for sustainable consumption.  Further details
can be found below

        How to book
        If you would like to book a place on either the workshop or seminar please contact Meg Handscombe
([log in to unmask] - 0114 225 2738) to be sent a booking form. .



31st March / 1st April 2005, Sheffield Hallam University

The second in a series of Network on Product Life Spans events will take place over two days with an afternoon research workshop,
evening social event, and full day policy seminar. Participants are welcome to attend either part (i.e. afternoon workshop or one
day seminar) or both.


RESEARCH WORKSHOP - Thursday 31st March
This workshop will develop a research agenda on product life spans covering a wide spectrum of perspectives: consumer, design,
industry, environmental and marketing. A paper based on ideas for research raised in group discussion at the first Network seminar
will be circulated in advance. The aim is to enable workshop participants to explore project priorities with a view to developing
funding proposals over the next 3 years. It is hoped that either at the workshop, during the evening social event or thereafter,
participants will identify and exploit opportunities for collaboration.


THROWING AWAY POLICIES SEMINAR - Friday 1st April
The throwaway culture that prevails in modern industrial nations has been subject to public criticism for many years. What
strategies and policies are required to counter the prevalence of short-lived and disposable products?
As another election approaches, the aim of this seminar is to explore the potential role of Government in addressing this vital
concern. Experts in consumer legislation, policy specialists and representatives of NGOs and political parties have been invited
to give short presentations. Issues that will be addressed include
*       the potential for longer product life spans to reduce material flows, increase resource productivity and cut waste volumes
*       how effectively the Government's sustainable consumption and production strategy framework and sustainable development
strategic review address the throwaway culture
*       the use of consumer legislation, such as the Sale and Supply of Goods Act, to promote product durability
*       the case for introducing or reforming taxes to deter use of disposable packaging and products and to promote repair
activity
*       mechanisms for improving the quality of point-of-sale information on product life spans
*       recent developments in relation to guarantees and extended warranties
*       the role of consumer education in promoting change.


Lunch (with organic ingredients) will be provided free of charge at the seminar for participants who pre-book. There is no charge
for attending either the workshop or seminar. 

Limited funds for reimbursing travel and subsistence (and overnight accommodation where appropriate) for participants are
available. The evening social event will be at participants' own expense. Details and booking forms available from Meg Handscombe
([log in to unmask] or Tel: 0114 225 2738).
DRAFT PROGRAMME

RESEARCH WORKSHOP - Thursday 31st March 2005 

14.00   Registration
14.30   Welcome & Introduction
        Discussion Paper Towards a Research Agenda for Product Life Spans
15.45   Tea & coffee
16.15   Research project priorities and funding opportunities - open discussion 
        Conclusions
17.30   End
Participants are welcome to visit The Devonshire Cat public house (real ale specialists) for a quick drink before a meal to be
arranged in the city centre at around 19.30. People staying overnight can use this time to book into overnight accommodation
before joining us. Those only attending one of the two events are, of course, welcome to join us for the meal. 


'THROWING AWAY POLICIES' SEMINAR - Friday 1st April 2005

09.45   Registration
10.15   Welcome & Introduction (Dr Tim Cooper, Centre for Sustainable Consumption, Sheffield  Hallam University)

        Public policy and the persistence of the throwaway society
10.30   What's the problem?
        Why product life isn't on the policy agenda (speakers from leading      NGOs)
11.10   Discussion
11.30   Tea & Coffee
11.50   The current legal context
        Product durability and the Sale of Goods Act: the legal position (Cowan Ervine,  University of Dundee) 
        After-sales services: the law on guarantees and repair work (Dr Christian Twigg-Flesner, University of Hull 12.30
Discussion 
13.00   Lunch (organically produced, no charge, pre-booking essential)
	
        People, products and culture: what change, who will promote it, and how?
14.00   Strategies for change
        Regulation, economics or education? (Dr Tim Cooper)
        Advocacy and the process of change (speakers t.b.c.)
        Political perspectives on the throwaway society (representatives from political parties)
15.10   Discussion
15.40   Tea & Coffee
16.00   After the election: how to progress the policy debate (group discussions)
16.30   Conclusions (plenary)
17.00   End

How to book
If you would like to book a place on either the workshop or seminar please contact Meg Handscombe ([log in to unmask] - 0114
225 2738) to be sent a booking form. 

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