Introduction

Today, in many parts of the world companies become keen to improve the environmental performance of the goods they produce. Governments are imposing harsher regulations, while other parties, including customers, suppliers, consumer groups, environmental organizations and even banks and insurance companies, are formulating new requirements with respect to the eco-efficiency of products. All this means that industry faces a range of challenges — in product design, material and supplier choice, producer responsibility for the waste stage, and product image. The fundamental questions that must be addressed are many.