ECODESIGN online PILOT

Ensuring environmental safety performance

Improvement <- D: use intensive <-

Checklist for ECODESIGN analysis

Product

Is use of the product safe, are there protective systems or devices to avoid damage to the environment (also in case of an accident)?
  
  
What potential hazards to the environment may be inherent in the product? Are protective measures against these hazards sufficient? What are the possible consequences in the case of an accident?
Relevance (R) Fulfillment (F) Priority (P)
very important ( 10 )
less important ( 5 )
not relevant ( 0 )
yes ( 1 )
rather yes ( 2 )
rather no ( 3 )
no ( 4 )

P = R * F
Measure Minimize risk of environmental damage in case of malfunctioning at use stage
Idea for
Realization
Costs
more
same
less
because
Feasibility
difficult
easy
because
Action
at once
later
never
Responsibility
Deadline


Is there a complete indication of hazardous substances used in the product?
  
  
What hazardous substances have been used in the manufacture of the product? Where are they and how are they indicated?
Relevance (R) Fulfillment (F) Priority (P)
very important ( 10 )
less important ( 5 )
not relevant ( 0 )
yes ( 1 )
rather yes ( 2 )
rather no ( 3 )
no ( 4 )

P = R * F
Measure Indicate type and amount of hazardous materials contained in product
Idea for
Realization
Costs
more
same
less
because
Feasibility
difficult
easy
because
Action
at once
later
never
Responsibility
Deadline



Approach to assessment:
  1. Relevance:
    Rate the relevance of the assessment question with a view to your product. (10...very important for my product; 5...less important for my product; 0...not relevant for my product).
  2. Fullfilment:
    Estimate the fulfilment of the assessment questions using one of the four possible answers (yes / rather yes / rather no / no); the additional questions support understanding of the assessment question and need not be answered.
  3. Priority:
    Select ECODESIGN tasks with high priority (P) and continue only with these.
  4. Idea for Realization:
    Find ideas to realize these ECODESIGN tasks. The content of the learning part with its examples shall assist you in doing that.
  5. Feasibility:
    Evaluate the feasibility of the suggested ideas (difficult / easy).
  6. Costs:
    Compare the costs of the new ideas with a reference situation (higher / same / lower) and give reason for that.
  7. Action:
    Decide when to carry out the ECODESIGN tasks (at once / later / never) and determine the person or department that shall be in charge of further steps in the realizing the product improvements and fix a deadline.
  8. Save:
    Save the checklist to document the ECODESIGN assessment.

 

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Minimize risk of environmental damage in case of malfunctioning at use stage

A general classification of concepts relating to safety, in addition to work place and operational safety, also includes environmental safety. Potential damage to the environment that may be caused by using the product has to be analyzed and evaluated. In this context, unusual operating conditions, such as incidents, accidents, operational errors, have to be taken into account, too. Protective systems (e.g. safety systems catching leaking auxiliary and process materials) reduce the risk of damage to the environment.


Indicate type and amount of hazardous materials contained in product

If the use of toxic substances in the product is unavoidable these should be identified and clearly labeled. In case of accidents but also for disposal or recycling of the product this information is important in order to avoid subsequent problems in the environment.