The European Commission has opened online public consultation on the working document "Design as a driver of user-centred innovation." Open until 26 June, the results may lead to future joint European action including non-binding cooperation, sharing good practice, and establishing benchmarks.
The consultation is taking part within the 2009 European Year of Creativity and Innovation and is built on the hypothesis that design is a driver and tool for user-centred and sustainable innovation and differentiation, complementary to technological R&D, and that increased use of design could increase European competitiveness.

Key within the document is a proposed operational definition of design:
"Design for user-centred innovation is the activity of conceiving and developing a plan for a new or significantly improved product, service or system that ensures the best interface with user needs, aspirations and abilities, and allows for aspects of economic, social and environmental sustainability to be taken into account."

The working document notes that while Finland, Denmark and the UK are seen as tapping into the potential of design as an innovation driver, other EU member states have yet to develop devote the same attention to design-focused policy frameworks.

Download the Commission Staff Working Document

Participate in the consultation