Industry

Welsh Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) need to introduce ecodesign if they are to remain competitive in an ever-expanding global market. SMEs face significant barriers when implementing ecodesign and existing market and policy mechanisms have been inadequate in increasing ecodesign implementation.

To address this challenge EDC designed and developed an Ecodesign Initiative which had an overall aim of increasing ecodesign application in Welsh SMEs. Central to the industry activities of the Ecodesign Initiative was the development of the Ecodesign Support Package (ESP) involving a 12-month demonstration project (Sept 2007 – August 2008) with four Welsh SMEs. 

The commercial ecodesign projects involved facilitating, guiding, training, networking, running workshops, undertaking research, mentoring and coaching to support the development of more environmentally friendly products and services and embedding ecodesign in core business strategies. 

The demonstration phase has now been completed and is currently being evaluated by EDC.

Read more about the industry activities of the Ecodesign Initiative

Monitoring and Evaluating

The learning gained (through this work) about the practical implementation of ecodesign is significant. The initial evidence illustrates that the ESP has moved the companies significantly forward on their ecodesign journeys. The results obtained clearly demonstrate that implementing ecodesign represents good business sense and practice – this is illustrated in the companies’ initial feedback and their practical outputs.

EDC recognises that a comprehensive evaluation of the EDC activities is a long-term process. The next step for EDC is to undertake an in-depth evaluation of the ESP process and demonstration projects. This is to understand the real lessons that need to be learnt and provide guidance and recommendations to help inform policy and ecodesign business support within Wales and beyond.

This evaluation will include clarifying the nature of the outputs and outcomes along with gaining a clearer understanding of absorptive capacity issues in the context of the four companies.

Further findings about the monitoring and evaluation process will be communicated in the coming months. 

Case studies

In parallel with the evaluation process case studies are being generated to inspire the next generation of ecodesign-led companies.