Key Dates

2003: Initial proposal for an ecodesign initiative submitted to the Welsh Assembly Government and the Welsh Development Agency by Frank O’Connor (Design Wales); linked to the Business and Environment Action Plan (BEAP).

2004: Updated proposal approved by the Welsh Assembly Government and the Welsh Development Agency with funding awarded for a feasibility study.

2005 - 2006: Feasibility study undertaken by Frank O’Connor and Simon O’Rafferty (Design Wales). This study involved a number of key activities including mapping the existing business support network from a product life cycle perspective and undertaking an international best practice study on ecodesign programmes. The final report made policy recommendations, set an ecodesign vision for 2020 and recommended establishing an ecodesign centre.

2006: Ecodesign Centre (EDC) established as part of the Welsh Assembly Government¹s commitment to sustainable development, initially with a team of four.

2006: Ecodesign Initiative launched. The Initiative comprised of a number of activities such as supporting ecodesign in Higher Education, communicating ecodesign best practice and running four industry demonstration projects.

2007: Ecodesign Support Package launched involving four industry demonstration projects running over a period of 12 months.

2007: EDC produced its first annual report and launched its website.

2008: EDC was designated a Centre of Expertise. Ecodesign Initiative demonstration phase completed. EDC begins to evaluate and communicate the lessons learnt.

To learn more about how we will be moving forward please click here.