Ecodesign in product and service development

Ecodesign is usually good business practice, but in some cases you may need to comply with certain legal requirements.

Ecodesign in packaging design

If you design or use packaging, you will have to comply with packaging and packaging waste management.

Ecodesign and electrical equipment obligations

If you manufacture, distribute or sell electrical equipment, you will have to meet a number of ecodesign requirements, including:

• the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations - see waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)
• the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Regulations - see ROHS: restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment
• energy-related products legislation - see energy labelling and ecodesign in manufacturing

Ecodesign in building and construction

The Building Regulations are increasingly focused on ensuring the sustainable design of buildings. You need to ensure any new builds or adaptations comply with the requirements for controlling environmental issues such as energy efficiency.

You must also follow measures that require businesses to improve the energy performance of commercial buildings. These include air conditioning system inspections and Energy Performance Certificates.

If a construction project is valued at more than £300,000, you should have a site waste management plan. The plan should enable waste from construction sites to be managed more sustainably. See how to introduction to site waste management plans.

Sustainable design standards

The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) has produced the ISO 14062 standard, a technical report on integrating environmental aspects into product design and development. You can also use a standard such as ISO 14001 to gain certification for the way you manage your environmental impacts, including your product designs.