Method

The maturity assessment method was developed by different partners, being based on the following publications:

Profitability of Ecodesign, 2014, Pôle Eco-conception
How to avoid pigeonholing the environmental manager, 2017, HEIG-VD&EA

Definitions:
Life cycle: consecutive and interlinked stages of a product (or service) system, from raw material acquisition or generation from natural resources to final disposal, including design, production, transportation/ delivery, use, end-of-life treatment and final disposal. (ISO 14040)
Ecodesign: Systematic approach wich considers environmental aspects in design and development with the aim to reduce adverse environmental impacts throughout the life cycle of a product. (ISO 14006)


Four maturity levels are defined:

Maturity Level 1 – initial

Eco-design is not applied, or is applied, but not systematically, by the company.

Maturity Level 2 – ad hoc

Eco-design is used on an ad-hoc basis, to correct problems or respond to a specific demand, albeit without a formal, systematic approach.

Maturity Level 3 – formal

The eco-design process is integrated in the corporate processes, in a short-term vision to improve the company's environmental performance.

Maturity Level 4 – controlled and improved

Eco-design is implemented to improve the environmental performance in the long-term and has been rolled out in all the business sectors.



A series of 12 questions enable to evaluate the maturity levels. The answers are analysed anonymously and compared with the results by sector and by country so that each "player" can situate him/herself and identify improvement axes.






Team




ENEC

ENEC

Pôle Eco-conception

Pôle Eco-conception

EA

EA

HEIG-VD

HEIG-VD

ADEME

ADEME

Reffnet.ch

Reffnet.ch