LCAterms
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a methodological framework for estimating and assessing the environmental impacts attributable to the lifecycle of a product. LCA data exchange is crucial for understanding the environmental footprint of products from the extraction of raw materials through to their manufacture, use, and disposal. The exchange of such data is vital for organizations looking to manage and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions across their value chain.
LCAterms, inspired by the structure of Incoterms used in international trade, serve as standardized codes within LCA data exchange. They play an essential role in ensuring that when greenhouse gas emissions data is shared, it is accompanied by a clear understanding of the lifecycle stage it pertains to. This clarity is necessary for the receiving party to interpret the data correctly and make informed decisions.
The LCAterms range from the point at which a product is ready for dispatch (RFD) to its end-of-life (EOF), covering all stages of its journey. For example, an LCAterm like 'Delivered on Site' (DOS) indicates that transportation emissions to the buyer's site are included in the data provided. Meanwhile, 'Cradle to Grave' (CTG) represents the entire lifecycle, including disposal and recycling processes.
By adopting these terms, organizations can ensure a common language and understanding, facilitating more effective communication and collaboration on environmental impact mitigation strategies. This standardized approach helps in aligning the efforts of various stakeholders towards sustainability goals and fosters a more transparent and accountable supply chain management system.
| LCATerm | Code | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| Ex Works | EXW | Value in the warehouse of the data supplier, ready For dispatch. Buyers must add the transport emissions to calculate the DAP value |
| Delivered at Place | DAP | Delivered on Site, so emissions related to the transport to the buyer are included |
| Cradle to Store | CTS | Encompasses the environmental impact assessment from the initial production or extraction of raw materials to the point of delivery and storage within a retail store |
| Cradle to Utilization | CTU | Cradle to Utilization is a stage in the life cycle assessment (LCA) of a product. It encompasses the assessment of the environmental impact of a product from its initial production or extraction of raw materials to the point of consumption or use by the end-user or consumer. |
| Cradle to End-of-Life | CTE | Cradle to End-of-Life encompasses the environmental assessment of a product from its initial production (cradle) through its use phase and continues to track its environmental impact until it reaches the end-of-life stage |
| Cradle to Grave | CTG | Cradle to End-of-Life encompasses the environmental assessment of a product from its initial production (cradle) through its use phase and continues to track its environmental impact including disposal methods such as landfilling, incineration, recycling, or any other relevant disposal processes. |
