EN ISO 14043:2000

Environmental management - Life cycle assessment - Life cycle interpretation (ISO 14043:2000)

Umweltmanagement - Ökobilanz - Auswertung (ISO 14043:2000)

Diese Internationale Norm legt Anforderungen an und Empfehlungen für die Durchführung der Auswertung in Ökobilanz- oder Sachbilanz-Studien fest. Diese Internationale Norm enthält keine spezifischen Methoden für die Auswertungsphase von Ökobilanz- oder Sachbilanz-Studien.

Management environnemental - Analyse du cycle de vie - Interprétation du cycle de vie (ISO 14043:2000)

Ravnanje z okoljem - Ocenjevanje zivljenjskega cikla - Predstavitev rezultatov analize življenjskega cikla

General Information

• Status: Withdrawn
• Publication Date: 29-Feb-2000
• Withdrawal Date: 30-Jun-2006
• ICS: 13.020.10 - Environmental management
• ICS: 13.020.60 - Product life-cycles
• Technical Committee: CEN/SS S26 - Environmental Management
• Drafting Committee: CEN/SS S26 - Environmental Management
• Current Stage: 9960 - Withdrawal effective - Withdrawal
• Start Date: 01-Jul-2006
• Completion Date: 01-Jul-2006
• Ref Project: SIST EN ISO 14043:2001 - Environmental management - Life cycle assessment - Life cycle interpretation (ISO 14043:2000)

Relations

• Replaced By: EN ISO 14040:2006 - Environmental management - Life cycle assessment - Principles and framework (ISO 14040:2006)
• Effective Date: 22-Dec-2008
• Replaced By: EN ISO 14044:2006 - Environmental management - Life cycle assessment - Requirements and guidelines (ISO 14044:2006)
• Effective Date: 22-Dec-2008

Standards Content (Sample)

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
SIST EN ISO 14043:2001
01-april-2001
Ravnanje z okoljem - Ocenjevanje zivljenjskega cikla - Predstavitev rezultatov
analize življenjskega cikla
Environmental management - Life cycle assessment - Life cycle interpretation (ISO
14043:2000)
Umweltmanagement - Ökobilanz - Auswertung (ISO 14043:2000)
Management environnemental - Analyse du cycle de vie - Interprétation du cycle de vie
(ISO 14043:2000)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 14043:2000
ICS:
13.020.10 Ravnanje z okoljem Environmental management
13.020.60 Življenjski ciklusi izdelkov Product life-cycles
SIST EN ISO 14043:2001 en
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

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SIST EN ISO 14043:2001
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 14043
First edition
2000-03-01
Environmental management — Life cycle
assessment — Life cycle interpretation
Management environnemental — Analyse du cycle de vie — Interprétation
du cycle de vie
Reference number
ISO 14043:2000(E)
©
ISO 2000

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SIST EN ISO 14043:2001
ISO 14043:2000(E)
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ii © ISO 2000 – All rights reserved

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SIST EN ISO 14043:2001
ISO 14043:2000(E)
Contents Page
Foreword.iv
Introduction.v
1 Scope .1
2 Normative references .1
3 Terms and abbreviated terms.1
4 General description of life cycle interpretation.2
5 Identification of significant issues.3
6 Evaluation.5
7 Conclusions and recommendations.7
8 Reporting.7
9 Other investigations .8
Annex A (informative) Examples of Life Cycle Interpretation .9
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SIST EN ISO 14043:2001
ISO 14043:2000(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies (ISO
member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO technical
committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been established has
the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in
liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical
Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 3.
Draft International Standards adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting.
Publication as an International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this International Standard may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
International Standard ISO 14043 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 207, Environmental
management, Subcommittee SC 5, Life cycle analysis.
Annex A of this International Standard is for information only.
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SIST EN ISO 14043:2001
ISO 14043:2000(E)
Introduction
This International Standard on life cycle interpretation describes the final phase of the life cycle assessment (LCA)
procedure, in which the results of a life cycle inventory analysis (LCI) and — if conducted — of a life cycle impact
assessment (LCIA), or both, are summarized and discussed as a basis for conclusions, recommendations and
decision-making in accordance with the goal and scope definition.
An LCA study begins with the goal and scope definition phase and finishes with the interpretation phase.
Life cycle interpretation is a systematic procedure to identify, qualify, check and evaluate information from the
results of the LCI and/or LCIA of a product system, and to present them in order to meet the requirements of the
application as described in the goal and scope of the study. The practitioner undertaking the LCA study should be
in close contact with the commissioner throughout the study in order to ensure that specific questions are
addressed. This communication also has to be maintained through the life cycle interpretation phase. Therefore,
transparency throughout the life cycle interpretation phase is essential. Where preferences, assumptions or value-
choices are involved, these need to be clearly stated by the LCA practitioner in the final report.
LCA is but one of several tools to help in decision-making, irrespective of the application, for example for
information purposes (documentation of existing product systems), for improvements (implementation of changes
to existing product systems) or for establishment of a new product system.
Life cycle interpretation may also demonstrate links which exist between LCA and other environmental
management techniques, by rationalizing and focusing on the results. It is therefore important not only to look
backward from application to the life cycle interpretation phase (and the other phases) of the LCA but also forward,
e.g. to the concurrent use of other techniques.
Life cycle interpretation includes communication, to give credibility to the results of other LCA phases (namely the
LCI and LCIA), in a form that is both comprehensible and useful to the decision-maker.
Whereas decisions based on technical performance, economic or social aspects are outside the LCA study,
environmental issues chosen for inclusion as part of the goal and scope definition may reflect such issues.
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SIST EN ISO 14043:2001
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 14043:2000(E)
Environmental management — Life cycle assessment — Life cycle
interpretation
1 Scope
This International Standard provides requirements and recommendations for conducting the life cycle interpretation
in LCA or LCI studies.
This International Standard does not describe specific methodologies for the life cycle interpretation phase of LCA
and LCI studies.
2 Normative references
The following normative documents contain provisions which, through reference in this text, constitute provisions of
this International Standard. For dated references, subsequent amendments to, or revisions of, any of these
publications do not apply. However, parties to agreements based on this International Standard are encouraged to
investigate the possibility of applying the most recent editions of the normative documents indicated below. For
undated references, the latest edition of the normative document referred to applies. Members of ISO and IEC
maintain registers of currently valid International Standards.
ISO 14040:1997, Environmental management — Life cycle assessment — Principles and framework.
ISO 14041:1998, Environmental management — Life cycle assessment — Goal and scope definition and inventory
analysis.
ISO 14042:2000, Environmental management — Life cycle assessment — Life cycle impact assessment.
ISO 14050:1998, Environmental management — Vocabulary.
3 Terms and abbreviated terms
3.1 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this International Standard, the terms and definitions given in ISO 14040, ISO 14041,
ISO 14042 and ISO 14050 and the following apply.
3.1.1
completeness check
process of verifying whether information from the preceding phases of an LCA or an LCI study is sufficient for
reaching conclusions in accordance with the goal and scope definition
3.1.2
consistency check
process of verifying that the assumptions, methods and data are consistently applied throughout the study and in
accordance with the goal and scope definition
NOTE The consistency check should be performed before conclusions are reached.
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3.1.3
evaluation
�life cycle interpretation� second step within the life cycle interpretation phase to establish confidence in the results
of the LCA or LCI study
NOTE Evaluation includes the completeness check, sensitivity check, consistency check, and any other validation that may
be required in accordance with the goal and scope definition of the study.
3.1.4
sensitivity check
process of verifying that the information obtained from a sensitivity analysis is relevant for reaching the conclusions
and giving recommendations
3.2 Abbreviated terms
LCA life cycle assessment
LCI life cycle inventory analysis
LCIA life cycle impact assessment
4 General description of life cycle interpretation
4.1 Objectives of life cycle interpretation
The objectives of life cycle interpretation are to analyse results, reach conclusions, explain limitations and provide
recommendations based on the findings of the preceding phases of the LCA or LCI study and to report the results
of the life cycle interpretation in a transparent manner.
Life cycle interpretation is also intended to provide a readily understandable, complete and consistent presentation
of the results of an LCA or an LCI study, in accordance with the goal and scope definition of the study.
4.2 Key features of life cycle interpretation
The key features of life cycle interpretation are:
� the use of a systematic procedure to identify, qualify, check, evaluate and present the conclusions based on
the findings of an LCA or LCI study, in order to meet the requirements of the application as described in the
goal and scope of the study;
� the use of an iterative procedure both within the interpretation phase and with the other phases of an LCA or
an LCI study;
� the provision of links between LCA and other techniques for environmental management by emphasizing the
strengths and limits of an LCA or an LCI study in relation to its goal and scope definition.
4.3 Elements of life cycle interpretation
The life cycle interpretation phase of an LCA or an LCI study comprises three elements as depicted in Figure 1, as
follows:
� identification of the significant issues based on the results of the LCI and LCIA phases of LCA;
� evaluation which considers completeness, sensitivity and consistency checks;
� conclusions, recommendations and reporting.
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4.4 Relationship
The relationship of the interpretation phase to other phases of LCA is shown in Figure 1.
The goal and scope definition and interpretation phases of life cycle assessment frame the study, whereas the
other phases of LCA (LCI and LCIA) produce information on the product system.
5 Identification of significant issues
5.1 Objective
NOTE See clause A.2 in annex A for examples.
The objective of this element is to structure the results from the LCI or LCIA phases in order to determine the
significant issues, in accordance with the goal and scope definition and interactively with the evaluation element.
The purpose of this interaction is to include the implications of the methods used, assumptions made, etc. in the
preceding phases, such as allocation rules, cut-off decisions, selection of impact categories, category indicators
and models, etc.
5.2 Identification and structuring of information
There are four types of information required from the findings of the preceding phases of the LCA or the LCI study:
a) the findings from the preceding phases (LCI and LCIA), which shall be assembled and structured together with
information on data quality. These results should be structured in an appropriate manner, e.g. in accordance
with the stages in the life cycle, the different processes or unit operations in the product system, transportation,
energy supply and waste management. This may be in the form of data lists, tables, bar diagrams or other
appropriate representation of the inputs and outputs and/or category indicators results. Therefore, all relevant
results available at the time will be gathered and consolidated for further analysis;
b) methodological choices, such as allocation rules and product system boundaries from the LCI and category
indicators and models used in LCIA;
c) the value-choices used in the study as found in the goal and scope definition;
d) the role and responsibilities of the different interested parties as found in the goal and scope definition in
relation to the application, and also the results from a concurrent critical review process, if conducted.
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Figure 1 — Relationships of the elements within the interpretation phase with the other phases of LCA
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5.3 Determining the significant issues
When the results from the preceding phases (LCI, LCIA) have been found to meet the demands of the goal and
scope of the study, the significance of these results shall then be determined. The results from both the LCI phase
and/or LCIA phase are used for this purpose. This should be done as an iterative process with the evaluation
element.
Significant issues can be:
� inventory data categories, such as energy , emissions, waste, etc.;
� impact categories, such as resource use, Global Warming Potential, etc.;
� essential contributions from life cycle stages to LCI or LCIA results, such as individual unit processes or groups
of processes like transportation and energy production.
Determining significant issues of a product system can be simple or complex. This International Standard does not
provide guidance on why an issue may or may not be relevant in a study, or why an issue may or may not be
significant for a product system.
A variety of specific approaches, methods and tools are available to identify environmental issues and to determine
their significance.
6 Evaluation
6.1 Objectives and requirements
NOTE See clause A.3 in annex A for examples.
The objectives of the evaluation element are to establish and enhance the confidence in and the reliability of the
results of the LCA or the LCI study, including the significant issues identified in the first element of the
interpretation. The results should be presented in a manner which gives the commissioner or any other interested
party a clear and understandable view of the outcome of the study.
The evaluation shall be undertaken in accordance with the goal and scope of the study, and should take into
account the final intended use of the study results.
During the evaluation, the use of the following three techniques shall be considered:
a) completeness check (see 6.2);
b) sensitivity check (see 6.3);
c) consistency check (see 6.4).
The results of uncertainty analysis and assessment of data quality should supplement these checks.
6.2 Completeness check
6.2.1 Objective
The objective of the completeness check is to ensure that all relevant information and data needed for the
interpretation are available and complete.
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6.2.2 Missing or incomplete information
If any relevant information is missing or incomplete, the necessity of such information for satisfying the goal and
scope of the LCA or LCI study shall be considered.
If this information is considered unnecessary, the reason for this should be recorded, after which it is possible to
proceed with the evaluation.
If any missing information is considered necessary for determining the significant issues, the preceding phases
(LCI, LCIA) should be revisited, or alternatively the goal and scope definition should be adjusted.
This finding and its justification shall be recorded.
6.3 Sensitivity check
6.3.1 Objective
The objective of the sensitivity check is to assess the reliability of the final results and conclusions by determining
whether they are affected by uncertainties in the data, allocation methods or calculation of category indicator
results, etc.
This assessment shall include the results of the sensitivity analysis and uncertainty analysis, if performed in the
preceding phases (LCI, LCIA), and may indicate the need for further sensitivity analysis.
6.3.2 Recommendations for conducting a sensitivity check
The level of detail required in the sensitivity check depends mainly upon the findings of the inventory analysis and,
if conducted, the impact assessment.
In a sensitivity check, consideration shall be given to:
a) the issues predetermined by the goal and scope of the LCA or LCI study;
b) the results from all other phases of LCA or LCI study and;
c) expert judgements and previous experiences.
The output of the above sensitivity check determines the need for more extensive and/or precise sensitivity
analysis as well as apparent effects on the study results.
The inability of a sensitivity check to find significant differences between different study alternatives does not
automatically lead to the conclusion that such differences do not exist. The differences may exist but cannot be
identified or quantified due to uncertainties related to the data and methods used.
The lack of any significant differences may be the end result of the study.
When an LCA is used to support a comparative assertion that is disclosed to the public, the evaluation element
shall include interpretative statements based on detailed sensitivity analysis.
6.4 Consistency check
6.4.1 Objective
The objective of the consistency check is to determine whether the assumptions, methods and data are consistent
with the goal and scope.
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6.4.2 Checklist
If relevant to the LCA or LCI study, or required as part of the goal and scope definition, the following questions shall
be addressed.
� Are differences in data quality along a product system life cycle and between different product systems
consistent with the goal and scope of the study?
� Have the regional and/or temporal differences, if any, been consistently applied?
� Have allocation rules and system boundaries been consistently applied to all product systems?
� Have the elements of impact assessment been consistently applied?
7 Conclusions and recommendations
7.1 Objective
The objective of this third element of the life cycle interpretation is to draw conclusions and make recommendations
for
...