PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Companies are increasingly confronted with the environmental impacts which are associated with their products. More and more external regulations are directed at companies to force them to make efforts to reduce the environmental impacts of the products which they put on the market. Customers are also starting to put forward environmental requirements. Ecodesign allows companies to integrate environmental issues in an early stage of product development and in turn reduces the overall environmental impact of products over their entire life cycle. The European Commission has recently started to focus further attention to the area of Integrated Product Policy (IPP).
OBJECTIVES
The objective of the project was to allow the Flemish industry to build up knowledge and experience in the field of sustainable product design (ecodesign). Since very few enterprises in the region had taken initiatives in this area, there was seen to be a need for a large-scale demonstration project with high visibility and an exemplary function. The main objectives included: - Fine-tuning a newly developed methodology to assess the ecodesign potential in an enterprise and to demonstrate and disseminate the methodology; - development of an “ecodesign” training course; - support for enterprises in the implementation of ecodesign; - initiating exchanges of experiences between enterprises and; - establishing a helpdesk.
RESULTS
Ecodesign is not yet considered a priority by the Flemish industry and consequently the canvassing phase of the project was very difficult. Only five companies reached the final phase of the process; the implementation of an ecodesigned product. The beneficiary and project partners did however develop and apply “Quick Scan” screening to 15 companies. This is an important stage when ecodesign is being considered since it can prevent useless efforts. A help desk was set up and will continue its advisory activities beyond the LIFE project. A handbook was published and can be used by the companies and product developers as a basic guide for the implementation of their products. GOM West-Vlaanderen and the Flemish Institute for Technological Research - Vito - will continue supporting the manufacturers interested in ecodesign analysis and implementation. The results achieved by the participating companies were positive: better product, reduction of costs, material savings, improvement of recycling and new market opportunities. A number of the participants in the first stage of selection (for example Niko, Jaga) will move on to the implementation of ecodesign at a later stage. Within the context of the proposed IPP approach, the Commission addresses ways to improve the environmental performance of products throughout their life cycle. Measures and appropriate incentives are however still necessary on national and regional levels to encourage more environmentally friendly product design. Specific support for SMEs is also required since most of them do not have a R&D department. The information desk, Factor10, which was set up by the Flemish Government is a good initiative to support SMEs in their efforts towards ecodesign. . According to a follow-up report, carried out in 2005 by the LIFE external monitoring team, the results achieved by the participating companies were positive. These included: - improved products; - a reduction in costs; - material savings; - an improvement in recycling; and - new market opportunities By organising several information sessions and workshops, by supporting the development of a website (www.factor10.be), by publishing a manual and by dissemination of an Ecodesign information brochure in the Flemish Environmental Journal “Ecotips”, the project offered direct information to at least 5,000 Flemish companies. In addition, by making the information available to product developers and training centres, knowledge about of eco-design was further disseminated.Ecodesign is not yet considered a priority by the Flemish industry and consequently the canvassing phase of the project was very difficult. Only five companies reached the final phase of the process; the implementation of an ecodesigned product. The beneficiary and project partners did however develop and apply “Quick Scan” screening to 15 companies. This is an important stage when ecodesign is being considered since it can prevent useless efforts. A help desk was set up and will continue its advisory activities beyond the LIFE project. A handbook was published and can be used by the companies and product developers as a basic guide for the implementation of their products. GOM West-Vlaanderen and the Flemish Institute for Technological Research - Vito - will continue supporting the manufacturers interested in ecodesign analysis and implementation. The results achieved by the participating companies were positive: better product, reduction of costs, material savings, improvement of recycling and new market opportunities. A number of the participants in the first stage of selection (for example Niko, Jaga) will move on to the implementation of ecodesign at a later stage. Within the context of the proposed IPP approach, the Commission addresses ways to improve the environmental performance of products throughout their life cycle. Measures and appropriate incentives are however still necessary on national and regional levels to encourage more environmentally friendly product design. Specific support for SMEs is also required since most of them do not have a R&D department. The information desk, Factor10, which was set up by the Flemish Government is a good initiative to support SMEs in their efforts towards ecodesign. . According to a follow-up report, carried out in 2005 by the LIFE external monitoring team, the results achieved by the participating companies were positive. These included: - improved products; - a reduction in costs; - material savings; - an improvement in recycling; and - new market opportunities By organising several information sessions and workshops, by supporting the development of a website (www.factor10.be), by publishing a manual and by dissemination of an Ecodesign information brochure in the Flemish Environmental Journal “Ecotips”, the project offered direct information to at least 5,000 Flemish companies. In addition, by making the information available to product developers and training centres, knowledge about of eco-design was further disseminated.
