Abstract

ABSTRACT International trade can increase the choices available for consumers and for firms. The literature on appropriate technology warned us to pay attention to pre-consumption choices. Work on sustainable development alerts us to be equally prudent about post-consumption effects. While it is agreed that the product life cycle approach is highly useful for sustainable development, explicit attention must be given to the consumer, to the consumption period, and to the appropriateness of the product itself. Information on inappropriate products, especially on pharmaceutical exports, demonstrates that emerging markets provide special opportunities for those who sell dangerous or useless products. International action is required, and two initiatives of the United Nations are assessed as methods for implementing the Appropriate Products concept.

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