Fuzzy　quality　function　deployment　(QFD)　has　been　extensively　used　for　translating　customer　requirements　(CRs)　into　product　design　requirements　(DRs)　in　fuzzy　environments.　Existing　approaches,　however,　for　rating　technical　importance　of　DRs　in　fuzzy　environments　are　found　problematic,　either　incorrect　or　inappropriate.　This　paper　investigates　how　the　technical　importance　of　DRs　can　be　correctly　rated　in　fuzzy　environments.　A　pair　of　nonlinear　programming　models　and　two　equivalent　pairs　of　linear　programming　models　are　developed,　respectively,　to　rate　the　technical　importance　of　DRs.　The　developed　models　are　examined　and　illustrated　with　two　numerical　examples.　©　2011　Elsevier　Ltd.　All　rights　reserved.