Sustainable product development is considered a key factor for sustainable development. Products are placed in the interface between production and consumption, therefore the consideration of sustainability criteria early in their development phase, to improve them throughout the life cycle, opens up for innovations that contribute to tackle major sustainability problems in the context of a globalized economy. Design for sustainability (DfS) is distinguished from ecodesign in terms of sustainability topics covered (not only environmental and economic, but also social) and in terms on the focus on finding new ways to satisfy customers and client needs and make business sense while respecting the physical limits of the planet in providing resources and absorbing pollution
