EN 16760:2015
(Main)Bio-based products - Life Cycle Assessment
Bio-based products - Life Cycle Assessment
This European Standard provides specific life cycle assessment (LCA) requirements and guidance for bio-based products, excluding food, feed and energy, based on EN ISO 14040 and EN ISO 14044.
This European Standard covers bio-based products, derived wholly or partly from biomass.
This European Standard provides guidance and requirements to assess impact over the life cycle of bio-based products with the focus on how to handle the specificities of the bio-based part of the product.
The applications of LCA as such are outside the scope of this European Standard. Clarifications, considerations, practices, simplifications and options for the different applications, are also beyond the scope of this European Standard. In addition, this European Standard may be applied in studies that do not cover the whole life cycle, with justification e.g. in the case of business-to-business information, such as cradle-to-gate studies, gate-to-gate studies, and specific parts of the life cycle (e.g. waste management, components of a product).
Biobasierte Produkte - Ökobilanzen
Diese Europäische Norm stellt spezifische Anforderungen an die Ökobilanz und spezifische Leitlinien für biobasierte Produkte, mit Ausnahme von Lebensmitteln, Futtermitteln und Energie, auf der Grundlage von EN ISO 14040 und EN ISO 14044 zur Verfügung.
Diese Europäische Norm erfasst biobasierte Produkte, die vollständig oder teilweise aus Biomasse abgeleitet sind.
Diese Europäische Norm stellt Leitlinien und Anforderungen zur Beurteilung der Umweltaspekte von bio¬basierten Produkten im Verlauf ihres Lebensweges zur Verfügung, wobei das Hauptaugenmerk auf dem Umgang mit den Besonderheiten des biobasierten Anteils des Produktes liegt.
Die Anwendungen der Ökobilanz als solche fallen nicht in den Anwendungsbereich dieser Europäischen Norm. Erläuterungen, Überlegungen, Praktiken, Vereinfachungen und Auswahlmöglichkeiten für die unter-schiedlichen Anwendungen liegen ebenfalls außerhalb des Anwendungsbereiches dieser Europäischen Norm. Außerdem darf diese Europäische Norm mit einer entsprechenden Begründung in Studien angewendet werden, die nicht den gesamten Lebensweg erfassen, z. B. im Fall von Informationen von Unternehmen zu Unternehmen, wie z. B. Studien "von der Wiege bis zum Werkstor" (cradle-to-gate), Studien "vom Werkstor zum Werkstor" (gate-to-gate) und bei spezifischen Teilen des Lebensweges (z. B. Abfallmanagement, Bestandteile eines Produkts).
Produits biosourcés - Analyse du cycle de vie
La présente Norme européenne fournit des exigences spécifiques concernant l’analyse du cycle de vie (ACV), ainsi que des lignes directrices relatives aux produits biosourcés, à l’exclusion des denrées alimentaires pour la consommation humaine ou animale et de l’énergie, d’après l’EN ISO 14040 et l’EN ISO 14044.
Elle recouvre les produits biosourcés, issus entièrement ou partiellement de la biomasse.
La présente Norme européenne fournit des lignes directrices et des exigences pour évaluer l’impact sur le cycle de vie des produits biosourcés, en mettant l’accent sur la gestion des spécificités de la partie biosourcée de ces produits.
Les applications de l’ACV en tant que telles se situent hors du domaine d’application de la présente Norme européenne. Les clarifications, les considérations, les pratiques, les simplifications et les options des différentes applications sont également hors du domaine d’application de la présente Norme européenne. De plus, la présente Norme européenne peut être appliquée lors d’études qui ne couvrent pas tout le cycle de vie, avec une justification, par exemple, dans le cas d’informations échangées entre entreprises, telles que les études du berceau à la sortie de l’usine, les études de la porte à la porte de l’usine et des sections spécifiques du cycle de vie (par exemple, gestion des déchets, composants d’un produit).
Bioizdelki - Ocenjevanje življenjskega cikla
Ta evropski standard določa posebne zahteve za ocenjevanje življenjskega cikla (LCA) in smernice za bioizdelke, pri čemer so izključeni hrana, krma in energija, na podlagi standarda EN ISO 14040 Ravnanje z okoljem – Ocenjevanje življenjskega cikla – Načela in okviri ter EN ISO 14044 Ravnanje z okoljem – Ocenjevanje življenjskega cikla – Zahteve in smernice.
Ta evropski standard zajema bioizdelke, ki so v celoti ali delno proizvedeni iz biomase.
Ta evropski standard določa smernice in zahteve za oceno vpliva bioizdelkov v njihovem življenjskem ciklu.
Uporaba ocenjevanja življenjskega cikla kot taka ni predmet tega evropskega standarda. Pojasnila, ugotovitve, prakse, poenostavitve in možnosti za različne uporabe prav tako niso zajeti v področje uporabe tega evropskega standarda.
Poleg tega se lahko ta evropski standard uporablja za študije, ki ne zajemajo celotnega življenjskega cikla, z utemeljitvijo npr. v primeru informacij med podjetji, kot so študije od zibelke do vrat, študije od vrat do vrat in posebni deli življenjskega cikla (npr. ravnanje z odpadki, sestavine izdelka).
Za te študije se uporablja večina zahtev iz tega evropskega standarda (npr. kakovost podatkov, zbiranje in izračun ter dodeljevanje in kritični pregled), ne uporabljajo pa se vse zahteve za meje sistema.
General Information
- Status
- Published
- Publication Date
- 24-Nov-2015
- Withdrawal Date
- 30-May-2016
- Technical Committee
- CEN/TC 411 - Bio-based products
- Current Stage
- 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
- Start Date
- 12-Oct-2021
- Completion Date
- 14-Apr-2025
Overview
EN 16760:2015 - published by CEN - defines Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) requirements and guidance specifically for bio‑based products (whole or partly derived from biomass). Based on EN ISO 14040 and EN ISO 14044, the standard focuses on how to handle the particularities of the bio‑based part of a product’s life cycle. Food, feed and energy uses are excluded, but the guidance can be applied to cradle‑to‑gate, gate‑to‑gate or other partial studies where justified.
Key SEO terms: EN 16760:2015, bio‑based products, Life Cycle Assessment, LCA, CEN, bio‑based content, biogenic carbon.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Scope and Goal Definition: Requires clear statement of intended application, audience and reasons for the LCA - consistent with ISO 14040/14044 principles.
- Whole‑product approach: LCA shall cover the entire product system (not only the bio‑based fraction), while giving special treatment to biomass‑related flows.
- Life Cycle Inventory (LCI): Guidance on data sources, geographical and temporal representativeness, data collection and modelling for bio‑based feedstocks.
- Allocation procedures: Specific requirements for handling co‑products common in biomass value chains.
- Resource accounting: Treatment of land use, water use, and other elementary flows relevant to biomass.
- Carbon flows: Detailed inventory guidance for fossil and biogenic carbon and how these are reported.
- Sector modelling: Practical modelling advice for agricultural, forestry and aquaculture systems, and for end‑of‑life processes of bio‑based products.
- Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA): Selection of impact categories and indicators, including treatment of biogenic vs non‑biogenic carbon, land‑use impacts and water‑use impacts.
- Interpretation & Reporting: Requirements for transparency, critical review and public disclosure to support credible communication and declarations.
Applications and users
EN 16760:2015 is intended for:
- LCA practitioners and consultants preparing LCAs for bio‑based materials and products
- Product developers and manufacturers seeking consistent environmental assessment for bio‑based products
- Sustainability managers and procurement teams evaluating bio‑based alternatives
- Certification bodies and Product Category Rule (PCR) developers using LCA inputs for environmental declarations
- Policy makers and regulators needing harmonized LCA approaches for bio‑based product claims
Practical uses include cradle‑to‑gate carbon accounting, comparative LCAs, inputs to Type III environmental declarations, and as a harmonized basis for sustainability communication across the EU.
Related standards
- EN ISO 14040 (LCA - Principles and framework)
- EN ISO 14044 (LCA - Requirements and guidelines)
- EN 16575 (Bio‑based products - Vocabulary)
- EN ISO 14025 (Type III environmental declarations)
- prEN 16751 (linked guidance: criteria/uses referenced in EN 16760)
EN 16760:2015 provides targeted LCA rules for bio‑based products to improve consistency, transparency and credibility of environmental assessments and claims.
Frequently Asked Questions
EN 16760:2015 is a standard published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Bio-based products - Life Cycle Assessment". This standard covers: This European Standard provides specific life cycle assessment (LCA) requirements and guidance for bio-based products, excluding food, feed and energy, based on EN ISO 14040 and EN ISO 14044. This European Standard covers bio-based products, derived wholly or partly from biomass. This European Standard provides guidance and requirements to assess impact over the life cycle of bio-based products with the focus on how to handle the specificities of the bio-based part of the product. The applications of LCA as such are outside the scope of this European Standard. Clarifications, considerations, practices, simplifications and options for the different applications, are also beyond the scope of this European Standard. In addition, this European Standard may be applied in studies that do not cover the whole life cycle, with justification e.g. in the case of business-to-business information, such as cradle-to-gate studies, gate-to-gate studies, and specific parts of the life cycle (e.g. waste management, components of a product).
This European Standard provides specific life cycle assessment (LCA) requirements and guidance for bio-based products, excluding food, feed and energy, based on EN ISO 14040 and EN ISO 14044. This European Standard covers bio-based products, derived wholly or partly from biomass. This European Standard provides guidance and requirements to assess impact over the life cycle of bio-based products with the focus on how to handle the specificities of the bio-based part of the product. The applications of LCA as such are outside the scope of this European Standard. Clarifications, considerations, practices, simplifications and options for the different applications, are also beyond the scope of this European Standard. In addition, this European Standard may be applied in studies that do not cover the whole life cycle, with justification e.g. in the case of business-to-business information, such as cradle-to-gate studies, gate-to-gate studies, and specific parts of the life cycle (e.g. waste management, components of a product).
EN 16760:2015 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 13.020.55 - Biobased products; 13.020.60 - Product life-cycles. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.
EN 16760:2015 is associated with the following European legislation: Standardization Mandates: M/492. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.
You can purchase EN 16760:2015 directly from iTeh Standards. The document is available in PDF format and is delivered instantly after payment. Add the standard to your cart and complete the secure checkout process. iTeh Standards is an authorized distributor of CEN standards.
Standards Content (Sample)
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Bioizdelki - Ocenjevanje življenjskega ciklaBiobasierte Produkte - ÖkobilanzenProduits biosourcés - Analyse du cycle de vieBio-based products - Life Cycle Assessment13.020.60Življenjski ciklusi izdelkovProduct life-cyclesICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 16760:2015SIST EN 16760:2016en,fr,de01-januar-2016SIST EN 16760:2016SLOVENSKI
STANDARD
EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPÉENNE EUROPÄISCHE NORM
EN 16760
November
t r s w ICS
s uä r t rä x r English Version
Bioæbased products æ Life Cycle Assessment Produits biosourcés æ Analyse du cycle de vie
Biobasierte Produkte æ Ökobilanzen This European Standard was approved by CEN on
s y October
t r s wä
egulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alterationä Upætoædate lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CENæCENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN memberä
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CENæCENELEC Management Centre has the same status as the official versionsä
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austriaá Belgiumá Bulgariaá Croatiaá Cyprusá Czech Republicá Denmarká Estoniaá Finlandá Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedoniaá Franceá Germanyá Greeceá Hungaryá Icelandá Irelandá Italyá Latviaá Lithuaniaá Luxembourgá Maltaá Netherlandsá Norwayá Polandá Portugalá Romaniaá Slovakiaá Sloveniaá Spainá Swedená Switzerlandá Turkey and United Kingdomä
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre:
Avenue Marnix 17,
B-1000 Brussels
t r s w CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CEN national Membersä Refä Noä EN
s x y x rã t r s w ESIST EN 16760:2016
1 A Mandate is a standardization task embedded in European trade laws. M/492 Mandate is addressed to the European Standardization bodies, CEN, CENELEC and ETSI, for the development of horizontal European Standards for bio-based products. SIST EN 16760:2016
Figure 1 — Example of a product system of a bio-based product which includes biomass as well as non-biogenic material feedstocks NOTE 1 The boxes linked with bold arrows in Figure 1 represent the flows of bio-based products (partly or fully derived from biomass) that can be raw materials, intermediary products and final product. NOTE 2 For simplification purposes, transportation steps have not been reported in Figure 1, but transportation can occur between any of the unit processes. This European Standard provides additional requirements and guidelines for bio-based products on: Goal and scope (see 4.3), Life Cycle Inventory - LCI (see Clause 5), Life Cycle Impact Assessment - LCIA (see Clause 6) and Interpretation and reporting (see Clause 7). An LCA for a bio-based product shall include the four phases of LCA. LCA requirements and guidelines are provided in EN ISO 14044:2006, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 and 4.5. This European Standard provides further guidance on the following, which can be important for bio-based products, due to their biomass origin: — geographical (see 5.2.2) and temporal scope (see 5.2.3) to be representative for the biomass acquisition phase considering agricultural, forest and aquaculture specificities; — allocation procedures (see 5.3) as the production stages typically generates co-products; — consideration for resource elementary flows (see 5.4.1); — data collection and modelling for land use (see 5.4.2), water use (see 5.4.3), and fossil and biogenic carbon flows (see 5.5); — modelling of agriculture, forestry and aquaculture systems (see 5.6); and — inventory and modelling requirements for bio-based products end-of-life (see 5.6.4). This series of European Standards focuses on bio-based products for industrial applications; food, feed and energy are excluded from the scope. However the guidelines and requirements for LCA provided in this standard can be applied to any product derived from biomass, irrespective of the application. 4.3 Goal and Scope of the LCA study 4.3.1 Goal of the LCA study When defining the goal and scope of the LCA study, the requirements of EN ISO 14040:2006, 5.2.1 and EN ISO 14044:2006, 4.2.2 and 4.2.3 shall apply. There is no single solution as to how LCA can best be applied, it will depend on the goal of the LCA and on each organization's size, its products, the strategy, the internal systems, tools and procedures and the external drivers. SIST EN 16760:2016
2 Formally, Step 1 is not part of the allocation procedure. SIST EN 16760:2016
use of fertilizers on the field; — irrigation; — land occupation and transformation; — soil management; and — activities for the production of agricultural inputs such as mineral fertilizers and fuels. It is noted that agricultural field work is complex, and practices vary significantly across farms and regions. Many parameters influence LCA impacts of agriculture, including intensification and optimization of production practices. At the same time (resource-, energy-, emission-) efficiency and thus the resulting environmental interventions mirrored in LCA of agricultural production, vary significantly amongst the (a) type of crop cultivated (b) management regime (fertilizer, pesticide, mechanization, irrigation, tillage practices) (c) soil and climate characteristics (hence location and time), (d) farm practices for (potential) conservation and drying steps of harvest etc. The following guidance is intended for practitioner
...
La norme EN 16760:2015 relative à l'évaluation du cycle de vie (ECL) des produits bio-sourcés représente un cadre essentiel pour l'évaluation environnementale de produits issus de la biomasse. En se concentrant sur les produits bio-sourcés, cette norme exclut délibérément les denrées alimentaires, les aliments pour animaux et l'énergie, garantissant ainsi une approche ciblée et pertinente pour une large gamme d'applications industrielles. Parmi ses points forts, la norme offre des exigences précises et une orientation pour mener à bien des évaluations d'impact sur le cycle de vie, en se concentrant particulièrement sur les spécificités des produits bio-sourcés. Cela permet aux fabricants, aux chercheurs et aux parties prenantes de mieux comprendre et quantifier les impacts environnementaux associés à ces produits. De plus, la norme s'appuie sur les fondements établis par les normes EN ISO 14040 et EN ISO 14044, ce qui lui confère une crédibilité et une reconnaissance internationale. La portée de la norme va au-delà d'une simple évaluation complète du cycle de vie. Il est permis d'appliquer les exigences de la norme dans des études qui ne couvrent pas l'ensemble du cycle de vie, par exemple dans des études business-to-business telles que les analyses de cradle-to-gate ou gate-to-gate. Cette flexibilité est particulièrement bénéfique pour des secteurs qui souhaitent évaluer des étapes spécifiques, comme la gestion des déchets ou les composants d’un produit. Ainsi, la norme EN 16760:2015 se révèle être un outil précieux pour les entreprises engagées dans le développement durable et la production de produits bio-sourcés, en leur fournissant un cadre structuré pour évaluer et améliorer leurs performances environnementales tout en répondant aux exigences du marché moderne.
SIST EN 16760:2016 표준은 생물 기반 제품에 대한 생애 주기 평가(LCA)의 필요성과 지침을 제공하는 유럽 표준으로, 특히 식품, 사료 및 에너지를 제외한 생물 기반 제품을 다루고 있습니다. 이 표준은 EN ISO 14040 및 EN ISO 14044를 기반으로 하여 생물 기반 제품의 특성을 처리하는 방법에 중점을 두고 있으며, 생물 기반 제품의 전체 또는 부분이 생물량에서 유래된 것임을 명확히 하고 있습니다. 이 표준의 강점은 생물 기반 제품의 생애 주기를 분석할 때 필요한 구체적인 요구사항과 지침을 제공한다는 것입니다. 생애 주기 평가를 통해 환경적 영향을 포괄적으로 이해하고 분석할 수 있으며, 이는 지속 가능한 개발과 관련된 의사결정에 중요한 역할을 합니다. 또한, 생물 기반 제품의 구체성에 대한 세심한 고려가 이루어져 있어, 각 제품의 고유한 특성을 반영한 분석이 가능하다는 점에서 매우 유용합니다. SIST EN 16760:2016 표준은 특정 응용 프로그램에 대한 명확한 지침을 제공하지 않지만, 비즈니스 간 정보 전송 또는 제한된 생애 주기 단위에 대한 적용이 가능하다는 유연성을 지니고 있습니다. 따라서 이 표준은 생물 기반 제품의 환경 영향을 평가하고, 관련된 다양한 상황에 맞춰 활용될 수 있는 유익한 도구로 여겨집니다. 이러한 측면에서, 생물 기반 제품의 지속 가능성을 높이는 데 큰 기여를 할 수 있는 표준이라고 할 수 있습니다.
SIST EN 16760:2016は、非食品、非飼料、非エネルギーのバイオベース製品に特化したライフサイクルアセスメント（LCA）に関するヨーロッパの標準です。本標準は、EN ISO 14040およびEN ISO 14044に基づき、バイオマス由来の製品のライフサイクルにおける影響を評価する際の具体的な要件とガイダンスを提供します。 この標準の強みは、バイオベースの製品が持つ特異性を考慮に入れ、どのように評価を行うべきかに重点を置いている点です。バイオベース製品はその原材料の特性から、環境への影響が多様であるため、標準はそれに対する考慮点を詳細に示します。これにより、ユーザーがライフサイクル全体を通じて評価する際に、必要な情報を効率的に取得できるようになっています。 また、本標準は特定の用途におけるLCAの適用についてのガイダンスや要件を提供しながらも、一般的なLCAの適用や全てのライフサイクルをカバーしない場合の正当化についても触れています。これにより、例えばクレードル・トゥ・ゲートやゲート・トゥ・ゲートのスタディなど、特定の状況に応じたアプローチを採用できる柔軟性が提供されます。 さらに、バイオベース製品に関する評価が、ビジネス対ビジネス情報においても適用可能であることから、市場での競争力を維持するための実用的な手段を示しています。このように、SIST EN 16760:2016は、バイオベース製品の持続可能な評価とその実現に向けて、十分な基盤を整えるものとなっています。
The EN 16760:2015 standard provides a comprehensive framework for conducting Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) specifically tailored for bio-based products, expanding upon the foundational principles established in EN ISO 14040 and EN ISO 14044. Its scope is notably precise, targeting bio-based products that are derived wholly or partly from biomass, while explicitly excluding food, feed, and energy products. This focused approach allows for a more nuanced assessment of the environmental impacts associated with bio-based materials, facilitating a better understanding of sustainability within this growing sector. One of the strengths of this standard lies in its detailed requirements and guidance on managing the unique characteristics of bio-based products. By distinguishing these products from conventional materials, EN 16760:2015 addresses the specific challenges associated with their life cycles, such as variability in resource input, production methods, and end-of-life scenarios. This specificity enhances the relevance of the standard, enabling stakeholders, including manufacturers, researchers, and policymakers, to conduct LCAs that are more reflective of the true environmental implications of bio-based initiatives. Additionally, the standard allows for flexibility in its application. While it emphasizes a full life cycle assessment, it also recognizes scenarios where partial assessments may be warranted, such as cradle-to-gate or gate-to-gate studies. This versatility accommodates a range of business needs and practical applications, thus broadening the utility of the standard across various sectors concerned with bio-based products. In conclusion, the EN 16760:2015 standard is a vital resource for organizations involved in the development and assessment of bio-based products. Its strong focus on LCA requirements and guidance, combined with an understanding of the specificities related to bio-based materials, positions it as a crucial tool for achieving sustainability and environmental accountability in the bio-economy.
Die Norm EN 16760:2015 behandelt die Lebenszyklusanalyse (LCA) von biobasierten Produkten und bietet spezifische Anforderungen und Leitlinien. Diese europäische Norm ist besonders relevant für Produkte, die ganz oder teilweise aus Biomasse hergestellt werden, und schließt explizit Lebensmittel, Futtermittel und Energie aus. Der klare Fokus auf biobasierte Produkte zeigt die zunehmende Wichtigkeit nachhaltiger Materialien im Kontext der Umwelt- und Ressourcenpolitik. Ein herausragendes Merkmal dieser Norm ist die präzise Anleitung zur Durchführung von Lebenszyklusanalyse mit Berücksichtigung der spezifischen Eigenschaften biobasierter Teile der Produkte. Dies ermöglicht eine konsistente Bewertung der Umweltauswirkungen und unterstützt die Unternehmen dabei, die Nachhaltigkeit ihrer Produkte effektiv zu kommunizieren. Die Norm passt sich modernen Herausforderungen an und berücksichtigt, dass LCA-Studien nicht immer den gesamten Lebenszyklus abdecken müssen. So können beispielsweise cradle-to-gate und gate-to-gate Analysen durchgeführt werden, was für Unternehmen, die spezifische Teile des Lebenszyklus analysieren möchten, von hohem Wert ist. Diese Flexibilität macht die Norm besonders nützlich für betriebliche Anwendungen und fördert die Akzeptanz biobasierter Produkte im Markt. Die Anleitung zur Lebenszyklusanalyse in dieser Norm ist konsistent mit den ISO-Normen 14040 und 14044, was die Integration und Anwendung der Norm in bestehende Umweltrichtlinien erleichtert. Insgesamt bietet die EN 16760:2015 einen klaren Rahmen und hilft dabei, biobasierte Produkte im Hinblick auf ihre ökologischen Auswirkungen systematisch zu bewerten.
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.
Loading comments...