Eco-indicator 99
ecodesign applications
 With increased pressure from governments and consumers, designers need
a practical tool to get insight in the consequences of their decisions.
The Eco-indicator 99 is such a tool.
What is the Eco-indicator?
The Eco-indicator 99 scores are based on an impact assessment methodology that transforms the data of the inventory table into damage scores which can be aggregated, depending on the needs and the choice of the user, to damage scores per each of 3 comprehensive damage categories, or even to one single score.
The Eco-indicator method was used to calculate 200 standard indicator scores for frequently used materials and processes.
back to top
How can I use Eco-indicators?
- Standard eco-indicator 99 scores can be used to make your own environmental assessment of a product in a matter of minutes.
- Over 200 predefined eco-indicator 99 scores for commonly used materials and processes are available, so application can start today.
- These are available in the Eco-indicator 99 Manual for Designers and in the ECO-it Design for Environment software.
A quick Eco-indicator analysis of a coffee machine shows the ecodesign priorities: minimizing use of electricity and paper filters. This analysis is made by simple multiplication of the material and energy amounts with the available indicator values. Companies such as Philips have calculated several hundred of additional scores for specific materials, such as electronics and batteries. With these scores designers are able to analyze their design in just a few minutes. back to top
When to use Eco-indicators? The use of Eco-indicators does not solve all problems of designers. The Eco-indicator method can only be used in the creative and conceptual phases of the design process. In the problem analysis phase and design phase a detailed life cycle analysis study (LCA) may be used to obtain detailed insight. An overview of possible tools to apply in the various design phases is shown below. PRé Consultants can assist you in various ways to improve the environmental performance of your products. |
Phase |
Goal |
Environmental tools | |
Searching for products |
Development and selection of new product-market combinations |
Product policy analysis, assessment of technological and market developments | |
Analysis |
Description of exact goals, primary requirements of the product |
LCA's of reference products, short what-if analysis | |
Idea generation |
Generation of alternative product (or service) solutions |
Rules of thumb, earlier experiences, guidelines and Eco-indicators | |
Concept development |
Selection of the best alternatives and development of concepts |
Rules of thumb, earlier experiences, guidelines and Eco-indicators | |
Detailed design |
Technical design drawings, cost calculations etc. |
Specific information on materials, processing etc.: LCA, Design for Recycling/DFE/DFX tools | back to top Tools and reports
- Download the Eco-indicator 99 Manual for Designers.
- PRé developed the easy to use ECO-it software with the Eco-indicator 99 database. Download our free 10 day evaluation version!
- Additional Eco-indicator scores or full LCA's can be calculated with professional LCA software such as SimaPro.
For more information on ecodesign, see our links page.
back to top |
