Ecointelligent product development aligned with the principles of ECODESIGN and the Circular Economy 

As a research group of the department for engineering design and product development, opens an external URL in a new window we have been working in the field of ECODESIGN in a national and international context since 1996. The main focus of our work lies in the development of ECODESIGN tools (see QUICK LINKS on the right side) and their implementation in cooperation with companies. Additionaly we provide academic teaching and workshops related to ECODESIGN.

Our research interests range from raising awareness, the development of environmental assessment methods, product improvements to environmental communication methods.

The long standing project experience and the established contacts to various project partners enable us to participate in various national and international funding programs. In addition to our Team we have a pool of motivated students interested in researching ECODESIGN questions within the scope of a diploma or PhD thesis.

Recast of the Ecodesign Directive

In March 2022, the European Commission published a proposal for a new Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) to cover all products on the EU market, including their components and intermediate products. The aim of the ESPR: "Making sustainable products the norm in Europe".

Many manufacturers are therefore confronted with new requirements for their products and their environmental compatibility. These requirements include durability, reparability, resource efficiency and much more. A rethink is therefore necessary, both in terms of product design, but also in terms of existing, linear business models, in order to be able to use the many advantages of eco-design and the circular economy.

Click her, opens an external URL in a new windowe for the official EU publications.

Ongoing research projects