An LCA or Life Cycle Assessment is a scientific tool for the evaluation of environmental effects of products or services throughout the complete life cycle, literally: “from cradle to grave.” This involves the extraction of raw materials, refining, fabrication transportation, use, recycling and disposal, both of the product and the energy and ancillary materials supplies.
The LCA methodology is described in the internationally accepted EN-ISO 14040 series, accredited by the European Committee for Standardisation (CEN). These standards reflect the state of the art methodology of the LCA which is generally accepted amongst the LCA practitioners.
As a result, any LCA study, especially those commissioned for legislative purposes, has to be performed according to these standards.
