This article presents a study on Design for Sustainability (D4S) that we conducted in a small company assessing three innovative formulas of nail polish: conventional nail polish, hybrid polish, and gel polish. In light of the need to reduce environmental pollution, the negative social consequences of the production, and the use of various products, manufacturers are challenged to develop products that are economically feasible, attractive to consumers, cause no harm to workers and consumers, and are safe for the environment. In Europe, small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) produce more than half (by economic value) of all goods. However, are they able to implement D4S and do they have the appropriate tools for it? During our case study, we addressed the question about the existence of a suitable tool for SMEs to apply D4S. As the tool, we used a multicriterion matrix visualized as a star diagram and adjusted to the needs of a specific company. The newest development in nail coatings – hybrid polish – seems to be the best formula as it provides optimal technical performance and reduces health and environmental impacts. We demonstrated that decision-making is assisted by the use of a simple multi-criterion matrix in the form of a star diagram that integrates environmental and social aspects during the product design phase in a systematic and transparent way.
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