Pioneering LCA Standards and Guidelines for Innovative Practices
Elevating Manufacturing Sustainability
ISO 14000 series
The International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) is the leading authority for developing and publishing international standards, including those related to environmental management and LCA.
The ISO 14000 series covers various aspects of environmental management, such as environmental auditing, labelling, performance evaluation, and communication. The most relevant standards for LCA are ISO 14040 and ISO 14044, which provide the principles and framework for conducting and reporting LCA studies, as well as the requirements and guidelines for ensuring quality, consistency, and transparency.
These standards are widely accepted and recognised as the basis for LCA practice, and they are periodically revised and updated to reflect the latest scientific and technical advances.
There are various innovative life cycle assessment standards and guidelines developed to promote sustainable manufacturing for example the two most renowned are ISO 14040, and 14067 by ISO.
One notable example is the “Product Environmental Footprint” (PEF) recently developed by the EU Commission. It considers multiple environmental impact categories not covered in the traditional ones.
Emerging standards and guidelines, such as Cradle-to-Cradle Design (C2C), Circular Economy-Aligned LCAs, Data Transparency and Sharing, Social LCA Integration, and Dynamic and Contextual LCAs, transform sustainable manufacturing.
These approaches prioritise material cycles, upcycling and downcycling potential, data transparency, social considerations, and contextual environmental footprint analysis, paving the way for manufacturing that actively contributes to a more sustainable and equitable world.
EPDs and PCRs
Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are standardised documents that communicate the environmental impacts of a product or service based on an LCA study.
Product Category Rules (PCRs) are documents that define the scope, method, and data requirements for conducting an LCA and generating an EPD for a specific product category.
EPDs and PCRs are useful tools for comparing and communicating the environmental attributes of products and services, as well as for demonstrating compliance with environmental regulations and standards.
Several programs and initiatives develop and publish EPDs and PCRs, such as the International EPD System, the European ECO Platform, and the US Environmental Protection Agency. These programs and initiatives follow the ISO 14025 standard, which establishes the principles and procedures for developing and verifying EPDs and PCRs, as well as the ISO 21930 standard, which provides specific guidance for the construction sector.
EPDs are a crucial part of the net zero journey. We need all manufacturers and suppliers to scrutinise their supply chains, and provide 3rd party verified carbon records of their products. EPDs (often ISO-certified) provide a credible data point for carbon accounting.
LCA software and databases
LCA software and databases are essential resources for conducting and supporting LCA studies. LCA software are applications that enable users to model, calculate, and analyse the environmental impacts of products and systems, as well as to generate and report the results.
LCA databases are collections of data on the environmental inputs and outputs of different processes and materials, such as energy, water, emissions, and waste. LCA software and databases vary in their features, functionalities, and quality, and they are constantly evolving and improving to meet the needs and expectations of the LCA community
LCA networks and platforms
LCA networks and platforms are online communities and resources that facilitate the exchange of knowledge, information, and best practices on LCA.
LCA networks and platforms aim to promote the awareness, adoption, and development of LCA as a tool for sustainable manufacturing, as well as to foster collaboration and innovation among LCA practitioners, researchers, and stakeholders. Some examples of LCA networks and platforms are the Life Cycle Initiative, the Forum for Sustainability through Life Cycle Innovation, and the American Center for Life Cycle Assessment.
