Implementation of life cycle thinking in Brazil's environmental policy

Brazil's National Environmental Policy (NEP) has been in force through Law No. 6938 since 1981. Some of the instruments of NEP are, the definition of standards, licensing, environmental impact assessments, special areas for preservation, incentives for cleaner production, and environmental zoning. Although the most efficient way to include the life cycle strategy into the NEP in the short term is through financial incentives, its future direction is to become a part of licensing and zoning. Various legal regulations already implemented in Brazil and involving Integrated Product Policy (IPP) concepts cover cell batteries, tires and pesticide packaging. These recommendations may also be employed by several other developing nations and can serve as the basis for an Environmental Integrated Product Policy. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.