Ecodesign

Ecodesign (also ecological design and sustainable design ) is based on the principles of sustainability. Target is with a smart use of available resources to achieve the maximum benefit for all stakeholders (along the value chain) with minimal environmental impact and socially fair conditions.

This approach calls on designers to participate actively working on making products, systems, infrastructure and services across the entire product life cycle, in terms of sustainability. In Ecodesign embedding the product in its environment is particularly crucial for the design solution. What is needed are systems solutions (hybrid power bundle ( HLB), Product Service System), which are characterized by conceptual in nature. This approach always includes the possibility for further development; as a result of the formulated product should be even an approach, less a self exponierendes product. The trained on the ecological approach to design problems will dissolve in the Ecodesign from the object -oriented approach and sees the commodity in the overall social context. Ecodesign is in product design then design of user contexts and in communication design and design of contexts of action and life processes. The designer will become the intermediary between the consumer, the environment and economy.

Principles of ecodesign

Ecodesign calls for the integration of environmental aspects into product design and development. To assess the environmental impact over the entire product life cycle should be considered, whenever possible minimized and coordinated with social, economic, technical and legal framework. Sustainable design also includes the social and societal context and provides ethical and social issues.

It is assumed that 80 % of the environmental impact and costs of a product are determined by the design and thus to influence the environmental performance of the product or company necessary and possible in the planning phase. Necessary here is a formalized development process, which systematically analyzes the various options.

As development goals and principles for the Ecodesign are:

• Material efficient design
• Material-specific design
• Energy-efficient design
• Low-emission, abfallvermeidendes Design
• Durable, repairable joyous and timeless design
• Recycling oriented, equitable and disposal logistics -friendly design

Historical Development

In recent decades, the concept of environmental protection and sustainable development in relation to the product design of " end-of- pipe technologies " on " Cleaner Production " and " Eco - design " has developed approaches and has now reached the stage of system innovations. These combinations of products and services have far greater potential for a sustainable economy due to a significantly higher eco-efficiency than conventional, product-oriented strategies. As an approach of the Ecodesign product improvement, product redesign, redesign / eco-innovation and system innovation should be mentioned. For product improvement, a change of individual product characteristics (eg longevity) is sought a reference product already manufactured, the property profile and the operating principles remain. When redesigning a comparison of product is improved in its characteristic profile on the product and production level (eg environmentally-friendly production methods ). The improvement potentials can be carried out systematically by analyzing the life- cycle-wide environmental effects [ LCA ]. In the eco-innovation new products for the application of newly developed technologies should be designed. The entire property profile of the product is put to the test. In the innovation system will search for a fundamentally new solution for the users need and a new business solution. This can be done through the combination of services and environmentally optimized products (rental of office furniture ).

Ecodesign process

The ecodesign process does not differ fundamentally from conventional product development processes. Central is the integration of environmental aspects into the various planning processes and the product property profile. Central is the search and design of alternative, eco-efficient solutions to the pacification of the respective user needs.

Sustainability Management and Ecodesign

Ecodesign activities should be classified in the sustainability management. The earliest possible consideration of environmental impacts is essential to take advantage of the great potential for anticipatory reduction of environmental impact and of large proportions of the later incurred environmental costs that are already defined in the product development. This requires the involvement of all stakeholders in the product development process and dealing with environmental issues also at the strategic planning level. Eco-design can be in this way a central component of ecological management. Through the inclusion of needs analyzes, Dematerialisierungsprozessen and new product concepts such as service or leasing offers also benefit requirements, product uses and changes in attitude (eg " use instead of ownership " ) discussed and it can be new business opportunities ( fleet management instead of car sales). For the evaluation of product design various instruments of sustainability management are available that capture the environmental impact of a product: Life cycle costing, life cycle assessment and checklist. Sustainable products designed to support the positive perception of the company, increase customer loyalty and enable enterprises where appropriate, the development of higher-priced market segments. At the same time can liability risks (later unexpectedly high precipitating ) disposal costs as well as service and repair services are reduced by the systematic and life-cycle cross- product terms ( Eco- ) Balance sheet ( ).

Ecodesign in the EU

The Ecodesign Directive establishing a framework for the setting of ecodesign requirements for energy -design of energy -using products, the EU established in 2005 a first step towards further dissemination of eco-design. Here also the Integrated Product Policy in the European Union ( IPP) will be implemented, so to improve the environmental performance of products and services along the entire life cycle or promote.

In Austria, the Ecodesign Directive was implemented by the ecodesign Regulation 2007. This Regulation ecodesign requirements for energy-using products will be prepared with the aim of ensuring the free movement of those products within the internal market.

Practical Example

In the further development of washing machines many eco-efficiency potentials have already been developed. So wash temperatures were reduced, an introduction of the amount of water depends on the amount of laundry, etc. Energy savings due to longer exposure times be achieved. Another possibility is the development Eudora titan Represent has a removable Wäschtrommel that can be used as laundry basket. In addition, they may require repair joyfully constructed and comes with the new sustainability label NCERT for durable devices.

Training examples

At the HTBL Hallein ( Technical College in Hallein ) was from 1997 to 2005 the advanced course Ecodesign - conducted ecological product development. Training principles in Europe probably unique course are: fusion of technology and design, team work in the form of project work, involvement of experts from business and industry, interdisciplinary instruction and active participation in competitions and exhibitions " In this tutorial technical school graduates can have a full HTL degree. in Ecodesign acquire, to empower you with the aim of people through the mediation of knowledge, skills and values ​​to make consumer goods for environmentally conscious policies and develop. a working group has begun under the direction of Helmuth Hickmann in cooperation with the HTL Salzburg in 1994, a concept and to develop the curriculum.

The TU Wien ( Vienna University of Technology ) provides, under the direction of Wolfgang Wimmer, a training Ecodesign - University course for sustainable product development to. The goal of the certificate program is to provide comprehensive knowledge and skills to environmentally sound product design / ECODESIGN and product developers, environmental officers and managers to enable companies in a position to make confident decisions about the direction in designing and developing products.

Holistic Ecodesign is taught at the ecosign / Academy of Design in Cologne. Since 1994, the Academy offers an 8 -semester course offerings, which makes the connection between design and sustainability. In addition to the classical implementation of ecodesign in product development and design of the teaching of ecosign aims at a holistic understanding of the concept, which includes also design theory, management and communication design, taking account of environmental, economic and social issues.