The conventional design process can be adapted into ecodesign by integrating some simple changes (see diagram below). The scope of these changes depends on your company's objectives. For example, the redesign of an existing product incorporating environmental considerations will not generate as much innovation as the creation of a new line of sustainable products.

The relationship between innovative aspects of ecodesign and the conventional product development process are explained below:

• Environmental requirements assessment. The Environmental considerations that have to be included in your new product or service depend on the motivating factors for the ecodesign process and the objectives that you want to achieve. A rough environmental assessment of the type of product or service to be designed is useful to allow you to focus on the main areas to be improved. Common environmental aspects of the product that have to be considered at this stage include multi-functionality, durability, reusability, ease of disassembly, recyclability and biodegradability.



• Ecodesign team. The main difference from a conventional design team is the inclusion of a new professional role: an expert in environmental issues. The main tasks for this new team member are the development of environmental assessments and assessment during the selection of design strategies.



• Environmental assessment. During the development of your new product or service, several environmental assessments can be performed to identify critical points to be improved or to compare design alternatives. Different environmental assessment tools that apply life cycle thinking can be used.



• Ecodesign strategies. At this point, environmental considerations are put into practice in design actions. Depending on the type of product or service and its environmental impacts, some specific ecodesign strategies may be more suitable than others. Some steps can be considered in order to select the best ones.



• Environmental communication. The environmental benefits of your new product or service can be communicated to consumers or clients using different tools, such as product self-declarations.



• Ecodesign results assessment. The assessment of ecodesign results and the overall process can be useful to improve them in the future. Additionally the evaluation can be used to plan your future environmental actions.