Definition of Life Cycle Assessment
What is Life Cycle Assessment ?
Life Cycle Assessment, or LCA, is a method for evaluating the environmental impacts of a system according to different environmental indicators throughout its life cycle.
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Definition
Définition :
Life cycle assessment is defined as “he compilation and evaluation of the inputs, outputs and the potential environmental impacts of a product system throughout its life cycle” ISO 14040-44:2006.
4 steps to follow
There are 4 stages in the life cycle assessment process.
1st step: Definitions of goal and scope
This stage is fundamental, as it allows us to clarify the hypothesis we have made. This will enable the results to be interpreted, reinforcing their credibility and sincerity.
Several questions need to be answered:
What are the objectives of the LCA?
Which products are studied?
What environmental indicators are considered?
Etc.
2nd step: Inventory analysis
The aim of this stage is to quantify all material and energy flows into and out of the system under assessment.
3rd step: Impact assessment
This step consists in translating the elementary flow, previously inventoried, into quantifiable environmental impacts.
Etape 4 : Interpretation
Firstly, the results of the life cycle assessment must be interpreted according to the objectives and assumptions of the study. And secondly, to interpret each stage according to the results of the LCA.
Reference texts
Life Cycle Assessment is a method standardized by a series of ISO standards from 14040 to 14044.
LCA can also be supported by texts such as the “ILCD Handbook: General guide for Life Cycle Assessment” published by the European Union. They provide a methodological framework for their implementation: cut-off rules, consideration of co-products, etc.
History
Although the first environmental assessments date back to the 70s, scientific recognition of LCA dates from the 90s and the latest ISO standard from 2006.
What you need to know
The Life Cycle Assessment(LCA) is defined by the ISO 14040-44:2006 standard
The LCA allows to evaluate the environmental impacts of a matter and energy flow
LCA must follow 4 steps