Environmental assessment in the conceptual design phase of new product development

Abstract

Many studies have shown the importance of incorporating environmental issues into the process of new product development (NPD). However, a critical review of the literature reveals a lack of tools to evaluate environmental criteria during the initial phases of product design - specifically, the conceptual design phase and concept selection stage. The objective of this manuscript is to present a framework for the environmental evaluation of product concepts based on design for environment (DfE), with an emphasis on tangible products. The framework could enhance the effectiveness of implementing DfE strategies in the conceptual design phase. The framework was based on DfE strategies related to the physical dimension of products and the analytical hierarchy process (AHP). This is one of the very first studies to present a framework for selecting a concept that best meets DfE criteria from a product life cycle perspective and offers the potential to be expanded to multiple manufacturers.