Background The challenge of globalization requires a greater effort from companies to increase the quality of their products. Recently, European governments have started a process of developing markets which is based on the Integrated Product Policy - (IPP). The main goal of IPP is to develop technical guidelines, tools and services for the enterprises of a specific sector that allow the application and spread of eco-design practices and environmental management systems all along the product chains. In fact, environmental quality standards are now, both in Europe and in the world, a key aspect of business development. The Italian industrial sector is characterised by very small enterprises concentrated in zones where similar types of businesses are clustered; so-called industrial districts. The spread of Integrated Product Policy (IPP) principles and tools is crucial for the development of business in these industrial areas. Marche is a centre for wood furniture production, where similar production techniques are used by a number of businesses. The industry is also geographically concentrated. It offers an ideal situation for the implementation of IPP tools because of the high geographical concentration of enterprises and the homogeneity of the production typology. Objectives The LAIPP project had several objectives: - Survey a number of businesses and build a database for environmental benchmarking. - Develop and implement pilot actions in six companies (office and kitchen furniture), which was to result in Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) of products and Environmental Product Declarations. - Implement Product Oriented Environmental Management Systems (POEMS). - Establish Product Category Rules on the basis of the LCAs; - Set up an advisory board involving public bodies, trade associations and companies. - Create a website and disseminate the project results. Results A key achievement of the LAIPP project was increased awareness about Integrated Product Policy and environmental certification issues in the furniture district of Marche region. A sector study and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) activities were carried out on different types of products (kitchen and office furniture). These LCA activities involved six companies and their supply chain. Three softwares were tested and improved during the project: GaBi: software for a more detailed LCA, for expert users, produced by PE Europe (http://www.gabi-software.com/). eVerdEE: tool for screening LCA, specific for SMEs and the TESPI: ecodesign software, specific for firms, based on life cycle approach and the integration of quality aspects with environmental aspects. Both of these tools have been developed by ENEA during the eContent project “eLCA” and are available on the ECO SMEs website (http://www.ecosmes.net/). Product category rules (PCR) and the assignment of Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) were developed for two product groups: office desks and cooker hoods. A simplified product-oriented methodology for ISO 14001 certification (POEMS system) was tested in a number of companies. Training activities were also carried out in companies located in Marche region. The results of the project were disseminated among the main furniture clusters at the national and European level. Key communication activities included presentations at workshops and the development of a project website (in English and Italian).