Ökodesign

Ökodesign, also known as eco-design, is an approach to product development that aims to minimize environmental impacts across a product's life cycle. It integrates considerations of resource use, energy consumption, emissions, waste, and end-of-life options from the earliest design stages. The goal is to create products that are more durable, repairable, recyclable, and energy-efficient, while reducing material intensity and toxic substances.

Historically connected to policy initiatives in the European Union, principled use has spread internationally. The EU has developed Ecodesign directives and regulations that set requirements for energy efficiency and environmental performance for a range of products. In practice, Ökodesign combines life cycle thinking with design for disassembly, standardized components, modularity, and the use of renewable or recycled materials.

Methods and tools include life cycle assessment (LCA) following standards such as ISO 14040 and ISO 14044, environmental product declarations (EPD) per ISO 14025, and product category rules; design for longevity; repair and upgrade options; and circular economy approaches like design for remanufacturing and recycling. Designers may also use eco-labels and sustainability benchmarks to communicate performance.

Applications span consumer electronics, appliances, furniture, packaging, and automotive sectors. Ökodesign can lead to reduced energy use, lower greenhouse gas emissions, reduced waste, and resource conservation, though benefits depend on accurate data, supply chain transparency, and consumer behavior after purchase.

Challenges include balancing environmental goals with cost, performance, and reliability; the complexity of life cycle assessments; potential for greenwashing; and the need for standardized methods and credible data to compare products.