1. Political Background

The term Sustainable Product Design (SPD) was coined at an International Symposium on Sustainable Consumption in Oslo, Norway in 1994. This meeting defined the term as:

‘the use of goods and services that respond to basic needs and bring a better quality of life, while minimizing the use of natural resources, toxic materials and emissions of waste and pollutants over the life cycle, so as not to jeopardize the needs of future generations.’

Some eight years later, the UK Government signed up to:

‘encourage and promote the development of a ten year framework of programmes…. To accelerate the shift towards sustainable consumption’

Securing The Future, 2005 (see website: Sustainable Development in Government)

Through a new Sustainable Design Forum, the UK Government is set on following home this declaration where it can champion those involved in eco-design and induct others into the process. It will promote best practice tools and approaches, which can then be adopted by others. It will also continue to develop its policies on sustainable consumption and production.

A second prong of the strategy is to develop the markets for such sustainable products. The Economic Regional Development Fund, for example, is partnering projects such as Remade and Enhance. Individuals starting up in the business sector are supported and a strong emphasis is being fostered to enhance sustainability and sustainable design in its portfolio and to target future designers, producers and manufacturers.

2. Eco Terminology