Environmental Priorities In Strategic Product Development

Reports progress of the Design for Environmental Decision Support (DEEDS) project, gives the project's aim as the development of appropriate tools and methods for eco-design for use in the electrical/electronics sector. Bases development of the tools and methods on the results of a survey of 19 companies in the target sector.

Reviews the available eco-design methodologies, e.g. life cycle assessment (LCA), quotes employee's of the surveyed companies regarding the companies' use of eco-design, and of environmental champions within product divisions and design teams. Presents a four-step eco-design framework consisting of analyse, report, prioritize and improve steps, at both strategic and operational levels.

Tests the framework by application in an Electrolux subsidiary producing vacuum cleaners, tabulates LCA results for one product and its constituents and components. Concludes that prioritizing is the most critical stage.