The purpose of this study is to perform a new literature review of the principal ecodesign methods and tools published in the literature over the last twenty years with the objective of understanding the main obstacles that limit their actual and effective implementation in industrial companies. The main research studies on ecodesign issues are presented and classified in a structured framework on the basis of the scope perspective. Then, an exploration of the main barriers, according to the literature, that prevent the implementation of ecodesign approaches in industrial companies, is presented and compared with possible strategies that allow these barriers to be overcome. •Eco-design methods and tools review.•Identification of ecodesign methods and tools strength and weakness elements.•Analysis of barriers for eco-design implementation in industrial companies.•Analysis of strategies for effective ecodesign implementation in industrial sector.•Analysis of innovative approaches to overcome lack of ecodesign implementation.