Hanoi, April 10, 2025 – The online workshop “Ecodesign potential of sectors – Towards a circular economy in Viet Nam” was held to present research findings and gather stakeholder feedback on the feasibility of implementing eco-design in several key Vietnamese industries, including Cement, Steel, Textiles, Plastics, and Electronics. The event attracted over 60 participants representing businesses, industrial parks, sector associations, regulatory agencies, and both national and international experts.

This workshop is part of the project “Scaling up Eco-Industrial Park Approaches to Promote Circular Economy in Viet Nam”  under the framework of the Global Eco-Industrial Parks Programme (GEIPP) – a global initiative implemented by UNIDO in several countries, including Viet Nam.

Ecodesign is a design approach that minimises environmental impact by considering environmental factors at all stages of the product development process. It aims to create products with the lowest possible environmental footprint throughout their life cycle. In today’s context, eco-design is not just a trend—it is a key enabler for Vietnamese industries to move closer to sustainability and circular economy goals.

During the workshop, Ms Nilgün Taş and Ms Nguyễn Thị Xuân Thúy, sustainable industrial development experts at UNIDO, provided a systematic overview of:

• The role of eco-design in the product value chain and its contribution to circular transformation;
• Modern technical requirements for eco-designed products, such as reparability, recyclability, durability, and environmental footprint;
• Analysis of the potential for implementing eco-design in the five surveyed sectors (cement, textiles, plastics, steel, electronics).

In his closing remarks, Mr Jerome Stucki, Chief of the Circular Economy and Sustainable Industrial Development Division at UNIDO, emphasised:

“Ecodesign is the bridge between sustainable development and innovation. It is a tool that helps businesses enhance competitiveness, minimise environmental impact, and seize access to international markets that are increasingly prioritising environmentally friendly products.”

Mr. Stucki also appreciated the active participation of Vietnamese authorities and businesses, noting that the feedback and discussions from the workshop will serve as a foundation for the project to develop technical guidelines and prepare for specific demonstration activities in the near future.

The workshop materials are available at this link.