Subject and intended use – Purpose? To whom (and how) to impart
Functional Unit – a reference unit on which LCA is focused
System Boundary – process units (part of a product system) to be included
Data (and data quality) requirements and methods to be used
Impact categories to be investigated
Limitations or assumptions to be made
Collection and quantification of input/output data related to the system under study – FLOWS:
- INTO (e.g. raw materials, resources, water, energy needs)
- OUT (e.g. waste generation, by-products and/or recycled materials, pollutant emissions to air, water and soil)
(all data must be adapted to the given functional unit)
Additional information to better understand and evaluate the magnitude and significance of potential environmental impacts for the life cycle of the product under study
Selection – impaction categories, category indicators, characterisation models
Classification of data into impact categories and parameters
Characterisation, Calculation and Estimation of environmental pressures of inputs and outputs in the life cycle (normalisation, grouping and weighting)
Summarising and discussing the results of either the inventory analysis or impact assessment, or both, and evaluating them in the context of the goal and scope of the study set out at the beginning (comparison with the initial objectives)
Determining the level of confidence in the final results – performing sensitivity and uncertainty analyses, completeness and consistency checks
It is a basis for deriving:
- conclusions
- recommendations
- decision-making
Results can indicate the improvement potential (e.g. they can lead to a well-grounded list of recommendations for revising product design and optimising its use in terms of environmental impacts).
Identification of key processes, limitations and pollutants
Communication of study results in a fair, complete and accurate manner