Life Cycle Assessment is a methodology used to evaluate the environmental impact of products, processes or services throughout their entire life cycle – from raw material extraction to final disposal or recycling. LCA analyzes in detail the consumption of energy, materials, emissions and other environmental impacts at all stages of a product's life cycle, with the aim of identifying the area with the greatest environmental impact so that steps can be taken to minimize it.

Content of the LCA documentation

LCA documentation consists of several main parts:

– Goal and Scope Definition – determines the purpose of the analysis, the boundaries of the system (what is and what is not included), and the functional unit (e.g. 1 liter of product or 1 km of transportation) that serves as the basis for comparing results.

– Inventory analysis (Life Cycle Inventory – LCI) – includes the collection of data on all inputs and outputs of the system, such as material flows (raw materials, energy) and emissions to air, water or soil.

– Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) – in this phase, the collected data is analyzed in terms of its environmental impacts, such as global warming, acidification, eutrophication, and others.

– Interpretation of results (Interpretation) – a final phase that summarizes the findings and provides recommendations for reducing environmental impact.

Legislation governing LCA

Within the European Union, LCA studies are regulated by several legal regulations and standards, which establish a framework for the correct preparation and use of LCA:

– ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards – these are international standards that provide general principles for life cycle assessment. ISO 14040 describes general requirements for LCA, while ISO 14044 contains details on the methodology, inventory procedures and rules for interpreting the results.

– European Eco-labelling scheme (EU Ecolabel) – LCA studies are often required as part of EU Ecolabel certification to demonstrate the environmental benefits of products and better assess their environmental impacts.

– Ecodesign Directive (2009/125/EC) – this directive encourages the design of products with a lower environmental impact and recommends the use of LCA in assessing the overall environmental impact of products from their production to disposal.

– Circular Economy Action Plan – this plan, which is part of the EU strategy for the transition to a sustainable economy, highlights the need to implement a circular economy and supports the use of LCA in the assessment and design of sustainable products and services.

– Regulation on environmental claims – this upcoming regulation, which has not yet been approved, sets out requirements for environmental claims. To meet the conditions, claims are expected to be substantiated, for example, by LCA studies.

Importance of LCA documentation in practice

LCA documentation allows a company to gain a deeper insight into the environmental profile of its products, supporting emission reductions, resource efficiency and overall sustainability. LCA documentation also helps a company meet legislative requirements and obtain environmental certifications, which are increasingly important for accessing markets with high sustainability standards. Spring