Overview
EN ISO 14040:2006 (ISO 14040:2006) establishes the principles and framework for life cycle assessment (LCA) within environmental management. The standard defines the structure of an LCA study, including goal and scope definition, life cycle inventory analysis (LCI), life cycle impact assessment (LCIA), interpretation, reporting and critical review. It covers both LCA studies and LCI studies, clarifies limitations, phase relationships, and the use of value choices and optional elements. The document does not prescribe detailed methods for individual LCA phases or specific calculation techniques.
Key topics and requirements
- Goal and scope definition: Define the intended application, system boundary, functional unit and assumptions transparently.
- Life cycle inventory (LCI): Compile and quantify inputs and outputs (materials, energy, emissions) for the product system.
- Life cycle impact assessment (LCIA): Provide additional information to interpret LCI results by addressing potential environmental impacts.
- Life cycle interpretation: Evaluate LCI and LCIA findings relative to the goal and scope to draw conclusions and recommendations.
- Reporting and transparency: Ensure open, comprehensive, and understandable presentation of assumptions, data quality, limitations and results.
- Critical review: Where needed (e.g., comparative assertions), apply systematic review processes to ensure credibility and consistency.
- Scope of application: Applies to LCA and LCI studies but excludes the application of results (decision implementation) and does not aim for regulatory, contractual or certification use.
- Limitations: Emphasizes that LCA results are dependent on functional unit, system boundaries and methodological choices; comparability requires equivalent assumptions.
Applications and users
EN ISO 14040:2006 is used by organizations and professionals engaged in environmental assessment and product sustainability, including:
- LCA practitioners and consultants performing cradle-to-grave product assessments
- Sustainability managers and product designers seeking opportunities to reduce environmental impacts
- Policy makers and regulators using LCA principles to inform strategy (but not for regulatory compliance under this standard)
- Ecolabelling bodies and marketers preparing environmental declarations or claims (with attention to critical review requirements)
- Researchers and academics studying life cycle methods and product life-cycles
Practical applications include identifying hotspots in a product life cycle, comparing design or material options, informing eco-innovation and supporting environmental communication (e.g., EPDs), provided transparency and consistency are maintained.
Related standards
- ISO 14044:2006 - normative reference for requirements and guidelines on conducting LCA.
- EN ISO 14040:2006 supersedes earlier ISO 14040/14041/14042/14043 editions; use together with ISO 14044 for methodological details.
