Product Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

What is LCA?

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is an analytical technique used to quantitatively evaluate the environmental burdens associated with a product, service, or process throughout its life cycle. LCA encompasses all stages: raw material acquisition, production, transportation, use, and end-of-life.

It is a fundamental tool in environmental management and sustainable design, enabling the identification of impacts such as climate change, air pollution, resource depletion, or loss of biodiversity.

Objectives of Product Life Cycle Assessment

• Identifying and minimizing environmental impact, including carbon footprint and resource use
• Optimizing design and production processes in terms of environmental performance
• Comparing alternative products or materials
• Meeting certification requirements (e.g., ISO, EPD), voluntary reporting standards (e.g., GHG Protocol), or legal regulations
• Supporting ESG strategies and the implementation of a circular economy within the organization

LCA Process Steps

According to ISO 14040, the LCA process consists of four phases, which together form a coherent structure enabling detailed environmental impact assessment in an iterative manner:

• Goal and Scope Definition – defines the purpose of the study, system boundaries, functional unit, and assumptions that influence result interpretation
• Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) – involves collecting input and output data, including renewable and non-renewable energy use, resource consumption, emissions to air, water, and soil, as well as waste
• Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) – classification and characterization of environmental impacts using impact categories such as global warming, eutrophication, or acidification
• Interpretation – analyzing results from previous phases to identify hotspots and develop recommendations for improving the environmental performance of the product or process

LCA uses advanced emission models, energy models, and material balances, supported by industry data, government statistics, and current scientific studies. The detail of each stage is crucial to ensuring the quality, transparency, and credibility of the analysis. This methodology enables evidence-based decisions aligned with sustainable development goals.

Environmental Impact Categories

LCA considers the following environmental impact categories, among others:

• Climate change (GHG emissions)
• Air and soil pollution
• Natural resource depletion
• Biodiversity and eutrophication
• Environmental acidification
• Water consumption
• Waste quantity and type

These categories enable comprehensive and comparable measurement of a product’s environmental impact. In accordance with ISO standards and methodologies such as ReCiPe or CML, LCA classifies and characterizes impacts based on midpoint and endpoint indicators. Midpoint categories refer to intermediate effects, while endpoint categories address final effects on human health, ecosystems, and resources.

International Norms and Standards

LCA is standardized at the international level by the following documents:

• ISO 14040 – Life cycle assessment – Principles and framework
• ISO 14044 – Life cycle assessment – Requirements and guidelines
• ISO 14025 – Environmental labels and declarations – Type III environmental declarations
• ISO 14067 – Carbon footprint of products
• EN 15804 – Environmental declarations for construction products
• GHG Protocol – Product Life Cycle Accounting Standard – alignment with climate policies

These standards ensure transparency, comparability, and acceptance of results in certifications and stakeholder communication.

Data Sources and Models Used in LCA

LCA draws on various data sources, including:

• Manufacturer data (e.g., EPD)
• External databases (e.g., Ecoinvent)
• Governmental data (e.g., Eurostat, EEA)
• Scientific literature
• Industry and organizational data

LCA models include emission models, energy models, and material balances, enabling realistic representation of technological processes.

The Role of LCA in ESG and EU Policies

LCA supports the implementation of ESG strategies, the European Green Deal, and the EU taxonomy by enabling companies to comply with climate-related regulations.

LCA results are used to generate a Product Environmental Footprint (PEF), which may form part of the Digital Product Passport – mandatory for many sectors from 2027.

LCA also facilitates access to funding from programs such as European Funds for a Modern Economy (FENG).

LCA Applications Across Sectors

LCA is applied in sectors such as:

• Construction – supporting LEED and BREEAM certification
• Industry – optimizing processes and reducing emissions
• Energy – evaluating fuel efficiency
• Transport – assessing life cycle of transport means
• Agriculture – analyzing environmental impact of farming practices
• FMCG – evaluating packaging and consumer goods

Benefits of Implementing LCA

The main benefits of LCA implementation include:

• Comprehensive environmental impact assessment
• Identification of critical points and optimization opportunities
• Compliance with ESG and EU regulations
• Facilitation of certifications and tenders
• Strengthening market position and reputation
• Supporting innovation in product design

GCB’s Role as an LCA Expert

As an experienced ESG service partner, GCB provides end-to-end Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) support. Our team ensures methodological compliance with ISO standards, data integrity, EPD documentation development, and implementation of environmental recommendations. We also act as an external consultant, offering independent verification, result objectivity, and expert guidance in strategic environmental decision-making. We help clients reduce environmental impact, increase transparency, and gain a competitive advantage through sustainable development.