The conservation of natural resources including climate protection, health protection and the promotion of sustainable consumption and production patterns are goals of the German environmental and sustainability policy. Approaches of product-related environmental protection can significantly contribute to these goals.

At European level, the application area of the "eco-design directive" or EuP-framework directive (2005/32/EC - Directive for energy using products) is to be broadened from energy-using products to other energy-consuming products. This broadening is currently politically discussed and a corresponding directive will probably be approved in 2009. This would not just rule conventional light bulbs but products like windows and insulation materials as well which effect the energy consumption of different systems.

Within this context, the idea of further broadening the application field of the eco-design directive to products being relevant for resource and material consumption instead of energy consumption will be explored within the project. Ahead of a political initiative this project shall:

• analyse the reachable potentials for environmental savings,
• examine the judicial consequences especially regarding existing regulations,
• conceptually develop necessary supporting methods and instruments, and
• test the developed approaches exemplarily.

The work of the Wuppertal Institute focuses on the selection of products based on their relevance for resource consumption and environmental potential as well as on the exemplary application of the developed approach for a broadened eco-design directive on these products.