Selection and implementation - key activities to successful use of EcoDesign tools

The paper presents a discussion on the need for support tools for integrating environmental aspects into product development. There are several objections towards applying such a tool, however, the fact that product developers ask for support by tools must be taken into consideration. The authors advocate that tools could be an effective way forward, with the condition that tools are selected in conformity with a specific organisation\´s need and that it is implemented in a conscious and reflective way. Procedures guiding selection and implementation are presented, based on a "plan-do-check-act" cycle. In order to support selection, tool criteria are needed, which is briefly discussed. A development of context-bounded criteria is suggested