An environmental assessment approach for additional product functions and its application inthe case of fridge-freezers

Conference Paper by Christoph Tochtrop, Justus von Geibler, Jana Rückschloss and Moritz-Casper Schlegel

In dem Paper »Product features: Upgraded Functionality or Sustainability Problem?« analysieren die Autor*innen, wie zusätzliche Funktionen bei energieintensiven Produkten wie Kühl-Gefrierkombinationen die Umweltbilanz beeinflussen. Mithilfe einer Bewertungsmatrix und einer Verbraucherumfrage ermitteln sie, ob diese Zusatzfunktionen eher zur Nachhaltigkeit beitragen oder umweltbelastend wirken. Die Ergebnisse bieten Empfehlungen für Kaufentscheidungen und bessere Verbraucherinformationen.

Abstract: Next to primary functions, energy-related products have an increasing number of additional functions. This affects the overall environmental footprint, but the question is how? A number of European policy strategies, initiatives and measures, such as the Green Deal, the Circular Economy Action Plan,the Ecodesign Directive and the EU Energy Labelling, aim to ensure that the environmental impact of the overall product is better determined, communicated and finally reduced. A core element of these efforts is the DIN EN 4555x series of standards. However, there is currently no comprehensive and systematic classification of the additional product functions or an approach to assess the associated positive and negative environmental impacts. Therefore, we present in this study an environmental assessment approach for additional product functions and illustrate its application in the case of fridge-freezers.

A key element of the life-cycle-oriented methodology is an assessment matrix to categorize and evaluate the direct, indirect and systemic impacts of products’ functions. Based on semi- quantitative assessments of experts, the matrix provides an indication of how the additional function affects the overall environmental product impact as well as specific product aspects such as durability or reparability. Based on the results experts can discuss and better understand how specific functions can influence various stages of the product life cycle and how intended systemic changes or rebound effects could occur. As part of the approach, a representative survey was conducted to analyze consumers’ knowledge and information needs. Based on the results, recommendations for purchasing decisions and the consumer information were developed.

This paper presents the results from the assessment of the additional functions of fridge-freezers.

Full Paper      first published by IEEE Xplore 

Entstanden im Rahmen des Forschungsprojektes »Wissenschaftliche Untersuchung zur Steigerung der produktbezogenen Energie- und Ressourceneffizienz«.