Environmental product information (EPI) and LCA

Abstract

The 41st discussion forum addressed different concepts of environmental product information (EPI). The goal was on the one hand to discuss EPI in a theoretical perspective, addressing issues on functional unit and use phase, LCIA methods, and comprehensiveness of environmental indicators. On the other hand, practical examples were presented to show the heterogeneity and challenges in the actual implementation of EPI in Europe and evaluate how far such case studies can be generalized in order to establish one type on environmental information for all types of products. The discussion started with three talks dedicated to Swiss perspectives on EPI, presenting expectations of the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment followed by the results of a Swiss feasibility study investigating a possible concept for EPI, and ending with discussing EPI from a psychological perspective. After three presentations considering different approaches developed in neighboring countries (France, Austria, and Italy) for providing life cycle assessment-based environmental information for products, six short presentations were held covering industry application and case studies. The following issues were addressed during the discussion: the real demand for EPI from the business, the integration of the use phase in the information provided, the questions and comparisons to be addressed with an EPI, the indicators to use in EPI, the effects of EPI on consumers, and the attitude of consumers regarding quantitative environmental indicators.