Module 5.2

• Life cycle assessment (LCA)


  Compilation and evaluation of the inputs, outputs and the potential environmental impacts of a product system throughout its life cycle

  
• Product system


  A system of consecutive and interlinked unit processes which models a product life cycle
• LCA


  • Focuses on the environmental aspects and impacts of a product system
  • Covers a broad range of environmental aspects and impacts
  • Considers the whole product life cycle
  • Is structured around a functional unit
  • Prioritizes scientific approaches as basis for decision-making
  • Is an iterative technique
  • Requires transparency

  
• Functional unit


  Quantitative measure of a product's function
• Function


  What the product provides to a user
• LCA studies are composed of four phases
• Life cycle inventory (LCI) studies are composed of three phases

  
• Transparency refers to the open, comprehensive and understandable presentation of information
• LCA is defined according to ISO (2006)
• The International Life Cycle Academy (n.d.) defines product system
• LCA focuses on the environmental aspects and impacts of a product system

  
• LCA covers a broad range of environmental aspects and impacts
• LCA considers the whole product life cycle
• LCA is structured around a functional unit
• LCA prioritizes scientific approaches as basis for decision-making

  
• LCA is an iterative technique
• LCA requires transparency