The green product eco-design approach and system complying with energy using products (EuP) directive

Owing to the enforcement and implementation of green environmental directives, e.g., the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS), Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment (WEEE), and Energy using Products (EuP) in European Union, the "green" concept is fast becoming the global market trend and the base of industrial development. Consequently, green product design capabilities become the key competence for enterprises to stay globally competitive. Due to the shortened life span of consumer products, information-based tools or methods are critical to support enterprise R&D in the stages of ecologically sound product design. In this paper, an integrated green product design methodology and system are developed to support environmental conscious, energy-using products development. The proposed methodology adopts LCA, QFDE, theory of TRIZ and the projections of green conceptual design improvement based on ANN approach. LCA and QFDE are developed for assessing and comparing the environmental impacts of (human) activities for the production and provision of goods and services. TRIZ is used to support R&D to create innovative product design ideas effectively and efficiently during the concept design stage. An ANN model is developed for the R&D decision support of environmental conscious product design. Finally, this research will present a green conceptual design case study applying the proposed eco-design methodologies and system. © Springer-Verlag London Limited 2009.