Life cycle engineering: methods, databases and results

The aim of this paper is to give an overview of the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) technique and of existing methods and databases. LCA is a technique to assess the potential environmental impact associated with a product or a service throughout its life cycle from raw material acquisition through production, use and disposal. The International ISO Standards provide principles, framework and methodological requirements for conducting LCA studies.

Keywords: life cycle assessment, LCA, environmental impact, methods, databases, life cycle engineering, ISO 14040 standards