Inherent impacts of a product or service

In addition to the demonstrable benefits that many products and services provide, their normal use can often have less welcome impacts as well. Companies are now being encouraged to find solutions that still provide the intended benefits of the product or service, but address any negative or unwanted consequences arising from their use. 

Examples of the unwanted consequences arising from normal product use include:

• The emissions produced by road and air travel
• The cost to public health systems of growing levels of obesity caused by poor diets and inactive lifestyles
• The health impacts of using tobacco.

The pressure for change can be a great incentive for positive innovation, presenting responsible business as something that offers opportunities for new ways of creating wealth. Failure to act could lead to the threat of regulatory intervention.

A number of companies have begun to address the issues surrounding the normal use of their core products. They include:

• Toyota – has arguably done more than any other motor company to innovate and popularise vehicles that use less petrol and create fewer emissions
• Walkers Snack Foods– along with many other food manufacturers and retailers, Walkers has progressively reduced saturated fats, sugars and salt in its products.