Methodological studies

The methodological studies were carried out in parallel to and for the development of the PROSA method (formerly “product line analysis”). Milestones included the following studies:

• Product line analysis: the first methodological draft for an analysis of sustainability (it was published three years before the Conference on “Sustainable development” held in Rio de Janeiro)
  
  
• Product line analysis on “Washing and detergents: the first comprehensive and detailed study, to be carried out, moreover, with the involvement of a stakeholder panel [Link]”
  
  
• Sustainable HOECHST (1996/97): this study was carried out on behalf of and in close cooperation with HOECHST AG, the largest chemical group of this time. Here, the method was further developed with a view on the applicability in business companies, and tested on a number of case studies. For the first time, this study was published in English, and the method was renamed “PROSA – Product Sustainability Assessment”. [Link]
  
  
•  Method development PROSA (2006/07): in the study funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), the method was complemented by two assistance methods, i.e. Social Life Cycle Analysis (SLCA) and Benefit Analysis, and then precisely described in a guideline document       
  

Further studies carried out simultaneously with method development investigated:

• the applicability to genetically modified crops BT maize and
  
  
• to biodegradable plastics, as well as
  
  
• social impacts of the production of notebook PCs  as a contribution to the development of a Social LCA.