Recent Initiatives on Standardization of LCA Methodology

Abstract

The LCA practice is directed through a set of ISO (International Standards Organization) standards which provide information on the basic methodology as well as requirements for performing LCAs for different purposes. The different perspectives of the standards developers has resulted in relatively loose guidelines and the reliance on a peer review process to prevent misinformation from reaching the public (ISO 14047, 14049, and 14071). Other recent standardization initiatives tend to focus on providing guidance for specific applications of LCA, such as ISO 14025 for environmental labels and declarations and ISO 21930 for sustainability in building construction. ISO 14025 will in theory allow us to compare products for a specific purpose, enabling consumers and businesses the ability to choose the product with fewer environmental impacts. Significant efforts are being made in the building industry to meet the demands of architects, planners, and multiple green building certifications. At the same time, the lack of specificity in the ISO standards is enabling users to consider different perspectives, giving a broader, richer understanding of the systems under study and how they may be made more sustainable.