Assessing product sustainability: A comprehensive framework

Frame of the research. Achieving successful design and manufacturing of sustainable products requires the capability to measure and assess the sustainability performance of products. In this regard, it is imperative to use a product sustainability assessment framework that comprehensively considers the economic, environmental, and social dimensions, adhering to the triple bottom line approach across the entire life cycle of a product. Purpose of the paper. This study aims to develop a comprehensive framework that can effectively guide manufacturing companies in assessing the sustainability performance of their products. Methodology. The framework developed in this study involves adopting factors considered for sustainable product design and/or product sustainability assessment in the literature. The overall structure of the framework was designed using the plan-do-check-act (PDCA) cycle. Additionally, the framework considered both triple bottom line and total product life cycle approaches. Results. This study provides a comprehensive framework with a detailed guideline to facilitate the measurement, evaluation, and interpretation of product sustainability performance. Research limitations. This study lacks empirical analysis, which opens an opportunity for future research to conduct empirical studies aimed at testing and validating the proposed framework. Managerial implications. The framework proposed by this study can serve as a valuable tool for designers and managers, aiding in the assessment and improvement of the sustainability performance of their products. Originality of the paper. This study addressed a research gap observed in previous studies, which lacked a framework with detailed guideline for measuring, evaluating, and interpreting of the sustainability performance of a product.