RL is a research topic that has evolved during the last two decades but at the present time can be considered a consolidated topic of research, with hundreds of papers published since 1995 in the most prestigious scientific journals. RL is not only an interesting issue for researchers, but also for companies and professionals who are considering the recovery of EoU products as a business opportunity, who are taking these activities into account in their strategic processes of decision making.
RL has several implications for SCM, but probably the most challenging is related to the design of the RL network. For this reason, a description of the basic activities related to the design process has been examined: collection, inspection, and recovery process. In spite of the relevance of the literature on the design of RL networks, new lines of research are still open.
The interest of academics and professionals in activities related to CLSC, RL and remanufacturing has provided a better understanding of the characteristics, processes and implications that the recovery of EoU and end-of-life products have on business activity. In spite of this fact, some concerns require our attention; for example, those related to the strategic aspects of the CLSC, and particularly those issues related to the potential commercial activities and marketing policies that firms can establish