Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a method for measuring the environmental impacts of a product or service across every stage, from raw material extraction to manufacturing, use and disposal.
Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a standardized method for quantifying the environmental impacts of a product, process or service over its whole life. It is governed by the international standards ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 and is often used to calculate a product's carbon footprint, water use and other impacts.
A "cradle-to-grave" LCA covers every stage. A "cradle-to-gate" LCA stops when the product leaves the factory.
A PPE manufacturer ran an LCA on its reusable hard hats compared with single-use alternatives. It found that most impacts came from the plastic resin, so it switched to a recycled-content shell that still met impact and penetration requirements under its product standard.
An EPD is a verified document that reports LCA results in a standard format, often required in construction tenders.
Yes. Supplier LCA data can replace generic estimates for purchased goods in Scope 3 inventories.
Yes. Material or design changes should go through management of change to confirm they do not introduce new hazards.
Part of SafetyIQ's EHS glossary: plain-English definitions of workplace health and safety terms.
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