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Glossary

Life cycle assessment (LCA)

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is the standardised method to compile and evaluate the inputs, outputs and potential environmental impacts of a product across its whole life cycle.

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ISO 14040 and 14044 set out its principles and requirements. An LCA can measure many impacts, such as climate change, water use or acidification; a product carbon footprint is the case in which only climate change is assessed.

Official sources: ISO 14040:2006 (opens in a new tab)

  • Environmental product declaration (EPD)

    An environmental product declaration (EPD) is a verified Type III document, under ISO 14025, that reports the environmental performance of a product based on an LCA and on product category rules.

  • Product carbon footprint

    A product carbon footprint (PCF) is the sum of the greenhouse gas emissions and removals of a product across its life cycle, expressed in kgCO2e per unit.

  • PCF versus EPD

    Difference between a product carbon footprint (PCF, ISO 14067) and an environmental product declaration (EPD, ISO 14025): what each measures, when to use it.

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