The regional council of Nord-Pas-de-Calais intends to promote the integration of ecodesign and life cycle analysis into all business sectors. All actions in the mechanical engineering sector are supervised by Mecavnir.
The goal of the regional council of Nord-Pas-de-Calais is to implement a transition towards more responsible and sustainable production and consumption models at a regional scale. "We intend to reconcile several objectives, notably fighting against climate disorders, preserving resources and biodiversity and maintaining competitiveness and economic development", explains Christelle Demaretz, in charge of the ecodesign, life cycle analysis and new economic model projects at the regional council. "In order to meet these objectives, we firstly focused on the specific features of economic sectors in Nord-Pas-de-Calais."
Eight sectors analysed in-depth
Eight economic sectors in the region were analysed in-depth in order to determine the actions to be developed and undertaken, with the stakeholders involved in each sector.
"An initial set of measures were taken with four sectors: the seafood, textile, packaging and mechanical industries", explains Christophe Bogaert, head of the "Production and Consumption" division at Ademe, a partner for the operation. "The second set of actions has just started. It relates to the agrifood, building construction, waste and wood industries."
As regards the mechanical engineering industry, the survey carried out by Cetim with two hundred industrialists gave rise to an action plan which ranges from awareness raising to product ecodesign, in addition to corporate project support and collaboration with a prime contractor for life cycle analysis.
On the basis of the concrete cases addressed, education sheets will be drawn up and engineering schools will focus on ecodesign teaching. At the same time, incentives (competitions, etc.) have been put in place for industrialists.
Cetim and Ensam have developed the Maïeco ecodesign method which has been converted into a standard (CEN/ TS 16524 "Ecodesign of mechanical products: methodology for reduction of environmental impacts in product design and development") which has been approved at European level.
