# End-of-Life ## Description End-of-Life (EOL) is the final phase of the product life cycle, in which the Encedo HEM is withdrawn from operational use due to critical malfunction (e.g., no response, loss of connectivity) or when repair and maintenance are no longer feasible (e.g., the device is physically unrepairable). EOL may also be reached as part of an organization’s standard IT equipment replacement/recall cycle, and Encedo provides a secure disposal service for delivered units. ## Proposed Procedure for Reporting Units for Disposal * **Initiation of Request:** The User/Administrator SHALL raise a disposal request via an approved channel (e.g., service portal ticketing system or designated email ). * **Mandatory Request Information:** The request SHALL include, at minimum: HEM identifier (serial number and/or asset tag), HEM model/configuration, reason for disposal (critical failure / end-of-support / scheduled replacement), organization identifier, collection address, and a designated contact person. * **Authorization and Validation:** Encedo SHALL validate the requester’s authorization (e.g., contract reference, organizational entitlement) prior to issuing a return authorization. * **Return Authorization (RMA):** Upon validation, Encedo SHALL issue an RMA number and provide return instructions, including packaging requirements and, where applicable, shipping labels. * **Chain-of-Custody:** The transfer of the HEM from the User/Administrator to Encedo (including any carrier handover) SHOULD be documented to ensure traceability and accountability. * **Confirmation of Secure Disposal:** Following secure disposal, Encedo SHALL provide a formal confirmation (e.g., Certificate of Secure Disposal) referencing the TOE identifier(s) and the disposal date, for audit and compliance purposes. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.encedo.com/hem-api/preliminary/end-of-life.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.