Implementing scenario to better address the use phase in product ecodesign
Year: 2013
Editor: Udo Lindemann, Srinivasan V, Yong Se Kim, Sang Won Lee, John Clarkson, Gaetano Cascini
Author: Domingo, Lucie; Brissaud, Daniel; Mathieux, Fabrice
Series: ICED
Institution: 1: Laboratory G-SCOP, France; 2: European Commission - Joint Research Centre, Italy
Page(s): 151-160
ISBN: 978-1-904670-48-3
ISSN: 2220-4334
Abstract
Some product categories, like electro-domestics, generate most of their environmental impact during use phase. Yet, the integration of this product life-cycle stage has been a challenge for ecodesign. Scenario is a formalism that has been used for a long time for integration of the use phase characteristics, in term of actors, actions, and context, into product development process.
This paper presents an adaptation of the scenario formalism that can be used for ecodesign. Our proposal for implementing scenario into the ecodesign process is based on the separation of the use phase into seven “moments” that will cover product lifecycle from installation (ending of the distribution phase) to decommissioning (beginning of end of life phase). The scenario will be used first to evaluate the environmental impacts. Based on this evaluation of the use phase moments, examples of the most efficient ecodesign strategies are presented. A case study on refrigerator used in Brazil was conducted to illustrate the implementation of scenario for ecodesigning product use phase.
Keywords: Eco design, user integration, scenario based design, environmental assessment