What is ecodesign ?
ECODESIGN assumes that the effect a product has on the enviroment should be considered and reduced at all stages along the product life cycle. These stages include the extraction of the raw materials, the manufacturing of the product, its marketing and distribution, the use and finally, the disposal of a product. The term product includes hardware as well as software respectively services.

ECODESIGN products are "flexible, reliable, durable, adaptable, modular, dematerialised and reusable". In addition to proving economical reasonability and social compatibility, these products represent an ecological necessity.

ECODESIGN emerged out of the end-of-pipe solution, i.e. a popular policy for environmental protection. The definition of prevention as a first goal resulted in the attempt to avoid waste and toxic substances in the stage of production (Clean production). Next, minimizing the environmental impact of a product was promoted. This applied to the entire ecological life cycle of a product, namely from raw material extraction to the ultimate disposal of a product (Clean product). Now it is the aim to optimize the entire socio-economic system of the product as well as that of its use to meet the criteria of sustainable development for the future (ECODESIGN).

ECODESIGN aims at advancing prosperity while reducing "enviroment spending".