Which term describes a continuous effect from a product?

• A. Electrical conductivity
• B. Tensile strength
• C. Ripple effect
• D. Ecodesign

Answer: (C)

The ripple effect describes the ongoing chain of consequences that extend beyond a product’s immediate use. It captures how decisions made during design, production, use, and disposal can influence environmental, social, and economic systems over time, spreading beyond the original context. For example, choosing an energy-intensive material can lead to higher emissions, waste challenges, and policy responses that affect communities later on. The other terms refer to specific properties or design approaches: electrical conductivity is about how easily electricity flows through a material; tensile strength is how much pulling force a material can withstand before breaking; ecodesign is a design strategy to reduce environmental impact. Hence, the ripple effect best fits the idea of a continuous, spreading impact.