Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a scientific methodology conducted in compliance with ISO 14040/44 standards, designed to analyze the environmental impacts of products and services throughout their entire lifecycle. This includes key stages such as raw material extraction, manufacturing, usage, and end-of-life disposal.
By leveraging LCA, companies can identify the least environmentally impactful stages in their production processes, gaining a competitive edge in the market. Conversely, they can also pinpoint the most polluting processes, implement targeted improvements, and enhance their overall sustainability performance. Additionally, LCA insights play a vital role in eco-conscious product design and development while serving as a strategic marketing tool to effectively communicate sustainability commitments to customers and stakeholders.
Our Expertise at ERKE
At ERKE, we have been a trusted leader in LCA consulting since 2007, conducting comprehensive assessments for a diverse range of products across multiple countries. Our expert team has helped manufacturers achieve their sustainability goals, enhance environmental performance, and comply with international standards, ultimately strengthening both regulatory compliance and market competitiveness.
With extensive experience across various industries, including construction materials, furniture, and textiles, we possess an in-depth understanding of different production processes and the unique requirements of each sector. This expertise enables us to deliver precise, high-quality LCA studies efficiently. As a specialized LCA consulting firm, we speak the same methodological language as our clients, ensuring a seamless, data-driven approach to sustainability assessments.
How Does the LCA Report Preparation Process Work?
The Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) process follows four key stages in compliance with ISO 14040/44 standards, providing a comprehensive evaluation of a product or service’s environmental impact.
- The objective of the LCA study is established (e.g., Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), carbon footprint calculation, environmental impact reduction, or sustainability reporting).
- The appropriate Product Category Rules (PCR) for the product are identified to ensure compliance with relevant industry standards.
- System boundaries are defined to determine the extent of the study:
- “Cradle-to-grave”: Covers all life cycle stages, from raw material extraction to production, usage, and disposal.
- “Cradle-to-gate” or “door-to-door”: Covers only specific life cycle phases, such as raw material extraction to factory exit.
- The functional unit is determined, representing the measurable basis for analysis (e.g., 1 m² of construction material or 1 kg of textile product).
- Comprehensive data collection is performed across the entire supply chain, including raw material sourcing, production processes, transportation, and disposal.
- Material, energy, and water consumption, along with emissions, waste, and by-products, are meticulously quantified.
- Data accuracy and modeling are critical at this stage, as the reliability of the LCA depends on precise input data.
The collected inventory data is analyzed based on predetermined environmental impact categories:
- Global Warming Potential (GWP) / Carbon Footprint
- Water Consumption and Scarcity (Water Footprint)
- Air and Water Pollution
- Ecosystem Impact
- Human Health Effects
This stage helps identify the most environmentally impactful processes, guiding targeted sustainability improvements.
- The findings from all stages are analyzed to pinpoint processes with the highest environmental impact.
Companies leverage these insights to:
- Optimize production processes for sustainability.
- Develop eco-friendly product designs.
- Implement data-driven strategies for improved environmental performance.
- Apply for sustainability certifications such as EPD (Environmental Product Declaration).
- A comprehensive LCA report is prepared in compliance with ISO 14040/44 standards, with the option for third-party verification to enhance credibility.
Advantages of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a powerful tool that helps businesses analyze and reduce the environmental impact of their products and processes. Conducted in compliance with ISO 14040/44 standards, LCA provides data-driven insights that support sustainability, efficiency, and market competitiveness.
Key Benefits of LCA:
- Identifies Environmental Hotspots
LCA pinpoints high-impact areas in production, helping businesses reduce emissions, energy use, and waste. - Enhances Sustainable Product Design
By integrating LCA data, companies can develop eco-friendly products with lower carbon footprints and better recyclability. - Ensures Compliance with Regulations
LCA supports compliance with ISO standards, carbon footprint reporting, and Environmental Product Declarations (EPD). - Boosts Brand Reputation & Competitiveness
Sustainability-conscious consumers prefer companies with strong environmental commitments, giving businesses a market edge. - Reduces Costs & Improves Efficiency
Optimizing resource use leads to lower production costs, less waste, and greater energy efficiency. - Compliance with Green Building Certifications
It forms the basis for LCA, EPD, and carbon footprint documents, helping to earn additional points in green building certifications such as LEED, BREEAM, and WELL.
Frequently Asked Questions
LCA helps businesses:
- Identify environmental hotspots and reduce their footprint.
- Improve energy and material efficiency, cutting costs.
- Comply with environmental regulations and ISO 14040/44 standards.
- Support sustainability certifications like EPD, LEED, and BREEAM.
The duration of an LCA study depends on the complexity of the product and data availability. On average, a full LCA analysis can take 4 to 12 weeks, with faster delivery for well-documented processes.
LCA is widely used across various industries, including:
- Construction materials & building products
- Manufacturing & industrial processes
- Textiles & fashion
- Furniture & wood products
- Energy & renewable resources
LCA consists of four main stages:
- Goal & Scope Definition – Defining objectives and system boundaries.
- Inventory Analysis (LCI) – Collecting data on material, energy, and emissions.
- Impact Assessment (LCIA) – Evaluating environmental effects.
- Interpretation & Reporting – Analyzing results and making sustainability improvements.
- Cradle-to-Gate: Assesses impacts from raw material extraction to the factory gate.
- Cradle-to-Grave: Covers the full lifecycle, including production, use, and disposal.
- Cradle-to-Cradle: Focuses on circular economy by including recycling or reuse.
Yes! An LCA study is the foundation for an EPD, which transparently reports the environmental impact of a product. Many industries require EPDs for sustainability compliance and green building certifications like LEED and BREEAM.
Absolutely! LCA identifies energy-intensive or wasteful processes, allowing companies to streamline operations, cut raw material costs, and improve efficiency, leading to significant long-term savings.
While LCA is not always mandatory, it is increasingly required for:
- EPD certification and product transparency.
- Green building certifications (LEED, BREEAM, WELL).
- Carbon footprint reporting and sustainability commitments.
- Corporate sustainability & ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) reporting.
Since 2007, ERKE has successfully conducted LCA studies for various industries worldwide, helping companies:
✔ Ensure compliance with international standards (ISO 14040/44, EPD, LEED, BREEAM, etc.).
✔ Optimize sustainability strategies and reduce environmental impact.
✔ Prepare accurate, third-party verified LCA reports.
✔ Gain a competitive advantage in the market.
The cost of an LCA study varies based on:
- Product complexity and industry requirements
- System boundaries (Cradle-to-Gate, Cradle-to-Grave, etc.)
- Data availability and third-party verification needs
For an accurate quote, contact ERKE for a tailored consultation.
LCA studies follow internationally recognized standards, including:
- ISO 14040/44 (LCA methodology)
- EN 15804 (Construction sector LCA & EPD requirements)
- ISO 21930 (Sustainability in building and construction)
- GHG Protocol & PAS 2050 (Carbon footprint assessment)
- LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) evaluates a product’s full environmental impact, including carbon emissions, water use, and resource depletion.
- Carbon Footprint Analysis focuses specifically on CO₂ emissions throughout the life
Third-party verification is recommended for EPD certification and public disclosure to ensure credibility and compliance. However, internal LCA studies do not always require external verification unless needed for regulatory purposes.
The accuracy of an LCA study depends on the quality of input data and assumptions made. At ERKE, we ensure high-precision data collection and modeling, following ISO 14040/44 standards for reliable and verifiable results.
