ADOPTION OF ECO-DESIGN MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS IN THE CHEMICAL INDUSTRY

Abstract

Many current business practices are not consistent with sustainable development. In this scenario, the design is a key factor, as it influences more than 80% of the economic costs associated with the product, as well as 80% of the environmental and social impacts associated. We could then consider the "eco-design" as the most appropriate framework for the design and development of products considering the environment, and eco-design management standards as tools that facilitate the adoption of eco-design in the internal practices and operations of the company. This article discusses the motivations, the adoption process and the results obtained by the first three companies in the chemical sector in Spain which have adopted the ISO 14006 eco-design standard, as a result of the long-term strategy development and implementation. The chemical sector is considered as one of the most important and dynamic industrial sectors in the European Union, but also as an intensive energy consumption and environmental high pressure sector. Unlike what happens in other sectors, the results indicate that in all cases analyzed more than 60% of impacts are focused in the phase of obtaining substances and manufacturing, so that the main improvement actions taken by companies are also focused at this phase. However, customers give little value to improvements in the product as it implies an increase in the purchase price. On the other hand, companies demand public administrations to develop regulations and mandatory standards to encourage companies to reduce the environmental impacts of their products. Keywords: Eco-design, environmental impact, Life Cycle Assessment, Environmental Management System, chemical sector.