Product-oriented environmental improvement is a great challenge for SMEs. There are two main reasons for this; firstly, a contradictory situation exists because SMEs lack the knowledge and competence to adopt the mainstream principle holistic approach of environmental product policy and regulations, and, secondly, there is a growing demand to incorporate environmental management system (EMS) and product dimension via ecodesign. To address these issues, this research focused on a product-oriented environmental management system (POEMS) that has been specifically developed to solve these problems. However, POEMS studies so far lack methodological development and focus more on how to incorporate EMS and eco-design rather than how to interpret the contents and improve POEMS as a standard tool. This research aimed to develop a new model, namely, component-based POEMS (CPOEMS). The C-POEMS model is a first attempt to define a potential standardised form of POEMS in its contents and structure, and form the basis for a useable self-help format for SMEs. A C-POEMS model, comprising stages of process, categories of functional areas/units, and elements, and a diagnosis template, as a component-based application, are developed and formulated. Through primary research, the C-POEMS conceptual model was verified and applicability of a C-POEMS component to SMEs was validated. C-POEMS made major contributions of two aspects: (1) methodological development of POEMS; (2) improvement of the format applicable for SMEs incorporating mainstream principles. Regarding methodological development of POEMS, arguments of existing POEMS methods were revealed, and the suggestions as well as analytical information in this research would provide benefit for further research in this field. The C-POEMS improved POEMS by providing clear contents and structure with predefined prior and iii correlated categories of functional area/units, which are helpful for SMEs. In addition, a diagnostic approach would help SMEs recognise their own problems and focus areas. As a result, SMEs can reduce the initial time to identify a structure of product-related environmental management, and increase opportunities to focus on major targets and product aspect for environmental improvements. Because of time constraint and underdevelopment of POEMS, there remain problems, in particular, to fully integrate EMS and eco-design, and the asymmetric situation between maintaining the broad scope of POEMS and focusing upon specific areas and user demand. However, this C-POEMS model provides a foundation for the development of EMS for SME’s and for ongoing development of POEMS.

I takt med att världen genomgår kriser i form av pandemi, ändrade handelsvägar, inflation och naturkatastrofer, förändrar det även förhållanden för textilproduktion. Från att företag flyttat sin produktion mot Asien på grund av låga produktionskostnader, börjar trenden skifta tillbaka till att företag väljer att flytta hem sin produktion. Syftet med studien är att utforska i vilken utsträckning ekodesigndirektivet, och FN:s mål för Agenda 2030 påverkar beslutsprocessen för en eventuell hemflyttning av textilproduktion till Sverige och Europa. En explorativ undersökning har gjorts på tre svenska modeföretag, där två personer per företag har givit sina inställningar och åsikter i semistrukturerade intervjuer. Resultatet visade att det finns en viss medvetenhet hos företagen kring ekodesigndirektivet, och en tydlig medvetenhet om Agenda 2030. I dagsläget påverkar ekodesigndirektivet eller Agenda 2030 beslutsprocessen för en eventuell hemflyttning av produktion till en liten grad, men företagen ser sitt ansvar i att vidareutbilda sig och vara rustade för nya regelverk, i form av att implementera dels CSR-aktiviteter, men även anställning av spetskompetenser. För att kunna flytta hem sin produktion krävs det innovationer i form av teknologi, som Sverige och Europa bör vara beredda att investera i trots det faktum att de flesta länder inom området har höga arbetskraftskostnader. Framtidens råmaterial i form av spillmaterial från gamla textilier, är också en möjlighet för området att generera. Om så är fallet, kan man utgå ifrån Sverige och Europa när man ser till hela värdekedjan, vilket betyder att den kan bli desto mer transparent och spårbar. Uppsatsen är skriven på svenska. / As the world contends with crises such as pandemics, shifting trade routes, inflation, and natural disasters, it also reshapes the landscape of textile production. While companies previously redirected their production towards Asia due to low production costs, the trend is now beginning to shift back as companies opt to relocate their manufacturing back home. An exploratory investigation was conducted with three Swedish fashion companies, where two representatives from each company provided their perspectives and opinions through semi-structured interviews. The results revealed that there is some awareness among companies regarding the Eco-design Directive and a clear understanding of Agenda 2030. Currently, the Eco-design Directive or Agenda 2030 only marginally influences the decision-making process for potential production reshoring. However, companies acknowledge their responsibility to further educate themselves and prepare for new regulations by implementing CSR activities and hiring specialized expertise. To relocate production back home, innovations in technology are required, which Sweden and Europe should be prepared to invest in even though most countries in the region have high labor costs. Future raw materials in the form of waste materials from old textiles also present an opportunity for the region to capitalize on. If so, Sweden and Europe could become the focal point for the entire value chain, making it more transparent and traceable. The paper is written in Swedish.