The PLM process is developing methodologies to support sustainable production during the whole product lifecycle. The present research makes a focus on the first phase product development (the design phase) that is significant to set future costs and environmental impacts. This research analyzes important tools that could be used by PLM to formalize knowledge for sustainable new products development in a company. It offers an overview and compares different approaches to share knowledge, to carry out innovation and to reduce CO2 emissions, materials and energy, as well as developing regulation compliance treated as a design requirement from the conceptual phase through the entire product lifecycle.