ABSTRACT
The end of a product's life offers a measure of its success and failure, an opportunity to assess the value derived from utilization during its useful life against the costs of manufacture and use and against environmental and social impacts. Though the life expectancy of some products, such as the humble forged stainless steel dining fork, may seem unlimited, the end of a product's useful life is an inevitable reality even if, in this case, distant. In cases involving fast-changing technologies, however, product obsolescence is often a major concern, particularly when the product costs and production volumes are high. This chapter explores this end-of-life state, commonly referred to under the umbrella of 'obsolescence', in order to understand its variations and implications, and to offer some means for more effective and sustainable product development.
