Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
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An LCA provides decision makers in industry, governmental and non-governmental organisations with important information and can be used for strategic planning as well as product and process development.
What is a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)?
A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a comprehensive methodology regulated by ISO 14040/44 for evaluating a product’s environmental impact throughout its entire life cycle, from raw material extraction, production and distribution, to usage and disposal. As a result, the emissions for various environmental impact categories, such as Global Warming Potential (GWP), Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP), and Water Depletion Potential (GWP), are calculated and evaluated. Based on this, efforts can be made to reduce the environmental impact, and sustainability strategies can be build and optimized.
Why LCA is important?
For manufacturers and companies, an LCA means:
- Transparency towards customers, builders, and authorities
- A sound basis for decision-making in product development and material selection
- A basis for EPDs, PCF/CFP, and PEF studies
- Strengthening of competitive position through proof of sustainable products.
Why do you need a LCA?
Construction Products Regulation (CPR 2024)
From 2026 onwards, Global Warming Potential (GWP) reporting will be mandatory for prioritized construction products. LCAs conducted in accordance with EN 15804 form the basis for digital product passports.
Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)
From 2025/26, more than 15,000 EU companies will be required to report Scope 3 emissions. LCAs enable the quantification of product related emissions across the supply chain.
Building Certification Systems (DGNB, LEED, BREEAM)
Sustainable building certifications require LCA data for construction materials. Architects and planners increasingly specify products supported by verified LCA evidence.
Secure Competitive Advantages
Life Cycle Assessments help organizations strengthen their market position and succeed in competitive environments:
- Win tenders: Public and private procurement increasingly requires verified CO₂ and environmental data.
- Remain specified: Architects and planners prefer products supported by Environmental Product Declarations based on LCAs.
- Optimize products: Hotspot analyses identify reduction potential along the entire value chain.
- Communicate transparently: Verified LCA data enables credible, greenwashing resistant sustainability communication.
Achieve Strategic Sustainability Goals
LCAs provide a robust foundation for long term sustainability strategies:
- Reduce CO₂ emissions: Identify the most emission intensive life cycle stages.
- Enable circular economy approaches: Assess recyclability and the use of secondary raw materials.
- Support product development: Compare materials, design options, and manufacturing processes.
- Strengthen supplier management: Gain transparency on upstream emissions and environmental impacts.
How an LCA Is Carried Out with KIWA?
Define Goal and Scope
Life Cycle Inventory (Input and Output Data Collection)
Impact Assessment
Interpretation and Action
Your Benefits with Kiwa
- ISO 14040/44 expertise: More than 15 years of experience in Life Cycle Assessment and environmental performance evaluation
- R<THiNK online tool: A transparent and digital LCA platform enabling efficient and traceable assessments
- Fast project delivery: Standard LCAs completed within 6 to 8 weeks
- One stop shop: Integrated services covering LCA, EPD, critical review, and verification
- Industry focus: Specialized expertise in construction products and building materials
- International recognition: IBU program operator, Notified Body, and DAkkS accredited
- Future ready: Fully aligned with CPR 2024 requirements, CSRD ready, and suitable for BIM integration
Frequently Asked Questions about Life Cycle Assessments (LCA)
Do I need to conduct an LCA for every product?
Not necessarily. However, if you aim to communicate environmental impacts transparently or need to comply with regulatory or market requirements, an LCA is often required or strongly recommended.
Do I need a full LCA, or is a carbon footprint sufficient?
A carbon footprint (PCF) focuses exclusively on climate impact, expressed as Global Warming Potential. A full Life Cycle Assessment evaluates a broader range of environmental impacts, such as acidification, resource use, and water scarcity. For Environmental Product Declarations and compliance with the Construction Products Regulation, an LCA conducted in accordance with EN 15804 is required.
What is the difference between an LCA and an EPD?
- LCA: The methodological approach used to calculate the environmental impacts of a product.
- EPD: A standardized, verified document used to communicate the results of an LCA, typically in accordance with EN 15804.
How often does an LCA need to be updated?
For Environmental Product Declarations, an update is required every five years or in the event of significant changes, such as modifications to production processes or raw materials. For internal purposes, LCAs can be updated as needed or when new product variants are introduced.
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Product Environmental Footprint (PEF)
The "Product Environmental Footprint (PEF)" represents the next level of European environmental policy and serves to communicate essential environmental parameters in B2B and B2C.
Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) according to EN 15804 / EN 50693
An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is a Type III Environmental Declaration and is regulated by ISO 14025 and EN 15804. It contains quantifiable environmental information on a European harmonized, scientific basis. An EPD is based on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) data.
Carbon Footprint of Products (CFP)
A Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) following ISO 14067 records the total CO2 emissions that occur directly or indirectly over the life cycle of a product.
Create your life cycle assessment and EPD with R<THINK
R<THINK is a software application that enables companies to create Life Cycle Assessments (LCA), Environmental Product Declarations (EPD), and Carbon Footprints of Products (CFP), efficiently and according to international and European standards. With R<THINK you can carry out project-specific calculations as well as calculate the environmental impact of your entire product portfolio.
CO2 - Footprint / Certification CO2-neutral
The CO2 Footprint, also known as the Carbon Footprint, records the total CO2 emissions that occur directly or indirectly over the life cycle of a product system.
