LCA System Boundary - TX
From imde.io
System Boundaries in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
System boundaries define which life cycle stages are included in an environmental assessment. Choosing the right boundary is critical for transparency, comparability, and accurate reporting of environmental impacts, such as carbon footprint.
This page outlines common system boundaries used in LCA, along with standardized keys used in IMDE to uniquely identify each boundary.
Common System Boundaries
| Boundary Name | Key | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Cradle to Gate | CtG | Covers all processes from raw material extraction to the factory gate (before the product is transported to the consumer). |
| Cradle to Store | CtS | Extends cradle to gate by including logistics and distribution up to the point of retail availability. |
| Cradle to End-of-Life | CtE | Full life cycle including raw materials, manufacturing, use phase, and disposal or recycling (also known as Cradle to Grave). |
| Cradle to Cradle | CtC | Circular model where products are reused, recycled, or biologically regenerated after end-of-life. |
| Gate to Gate | GtG | Focuses only on a specific production or processing stage inside a broader life cycle. |
| Well to Wheel | WtW | Specific to fuels: includes everything from resource extraction (well) to final use in vehicles (wheel). |
Notes on Terminology
- "End-of-Life" (EoL) is the formal term used in standards like ISO 14040/44, EN 15804, and PEF; it replaces the colloquial term "Grave".
- Keys are designed to be short and unique to ensure compatibility across data systems.
- Use of standard keys helps harmonize data exchange in modular LCA models like IMDE.
Use in IMDE
Each system boundary is used as a qualifier for data exchange modules and declarations in the IMDE model. It supports interoperability by making clear what part of a product's life is covered by a given dataset.
See Also
References
- ISO 14044:2006 - Environmental management – Life cycle assessment – Requirements and guidelines
- EN 15804:2012+A2:2019 - Sustainability of construction works
- Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) Guidance v3.0
