LCA Study
Life Cycle
We assess the environmental impact of your product across 19 internationally recognised indicators, according to ISO 14040/14044 — from raw material extraction to final disposal. 100% remote, delivery in 4–6 weeks.
What is LCA? Life Cycle Assessment is the standardised and transparent method for evaluating and reporting the environmental impact associated with manufacturing a product. It covers all lifecycle stages: raw material extraction, production, transport and use, through to disposal — in accordance with ISO 14040 and ISO 14044.
What does a complete LCA study assess?
An LCA study according to ISO 14040/14044 covers all impact categories recognised by the EN 15804+A2 methodology, quantified per functional unit of your product:
Climate change
GWP100 in kg CO₂ equivalent — total climate impact over 100 years (IPCC AR6)
Water consumption
WU in m³ world eq. — net water consumed, weighted by regional scarcity
Ozone layer depletion
ODP in kg CFC-11 eq. — halogenated substances from the production cycle
Acidification
AP in mol H⁺ eq. — SO₂, NOₓ, NH₃ with impact on ecosystems
Particulate formation
PM2.5 eq. — direct human health impact from production processes
Resource depletion
ADP-min in kg Sb eq. — minerals and rare metals consumed in production
Eutrophication
EP-fw/m/t in kg P eq. — excess nutrients in aquatic ecosystems
Land use
LU in points — land transformation with impact on biodiversity
Ionising radiation
IR in kBq U235 eq. — radioactive emissions from the supply chain
How does our process work?
The process of preparing an LCA study at CarbonDRI is 100% remote and takes between 4 and 6 weeks, depending on product complexity and availability of primary data.
- 01
Defining the scope and system boundaries
We define together the functional unit, system boundaries (cradle-to-gate, cradle-to-grave or cradle-to-cradle), relevant impact categories and the level of detail required by the intended use of the study.
- 02
Data collection — Life Cycle Inventory (LCI)
We provide a data collection template specific to your product. You enter raw material quantities, energy consumption, transport and generated waste. Confidential data is protected by NDA signed before the start.
- 03
Impact assessment modelling (LCIA)
We model in certified software (SimaPro or OpenLCA) with the Ecoinvent 3.10 database. We apply the EN 15804+A2 characterisation methodology and calculate all impact indicators per functional unit.
- 04
Interpretation, hotspot analysis and final report
We identify the critical points (hotspots) in the lifecycle, compare alternative impact reduction scenarios and deliver the complete report in accordance with ISO 14044 with all methodological annexes.
Why do you need an LCA study?
- CSRD/ESRS E1 reporting: ESRS E1.6 requires product-level emission intensity data for companies in the value chain of CSRD reporters.
- Basis for EPD: Any Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) compliant with EN 15804 requires a complete LCA study as its foundation.
- Retailer and B2B buyer requirements: Kaufland, Lidl, IKEA, Bosch — all require LCA data from value chain suppliers.
- Identifying reduction opportunities: LCA shows exactly where in the lifecycle the most impact is generated — where investment in reduction has the greatest effect.
- Competitive differentiation: Companies with validated LCA studies more easily win public tenders and partnerships with multinational corporations.
⚠️ Warning: An unvalidated “internal” LCA study is not accepted for publishing an EPD or for CSRD reporting. The study must be prepared in accordance with ISO 14040/14044 and must be verifiable by a third-party auditor.
LCA vs. EPD vs. CFP — what’s the difference?
| Criterion | LCA | EPD | CFP (ISO 14067) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | ISO 14040/14044 | EN 15804 + ISO 14025 | ISO 14067:2018 |
| Indicators | 19 complete categories | 19 categories (EN 15804) | GHG only (CO₂e) |
| Third-party verification | Optional | ✓ Mandatory | Recommended |
| Registry publication | No | ✓ IBU / EPD Norge | No |
| LEED/BREEAM credits | Partial | ✓ Direct | Partial |
| CBAM compliance | Can be used | Can be used | ✓ Ideal |
| Delivery time | 4–6 weeks | 6–10 weeks | 3–5 weeks |
Request the LCA study
for your product
Free and personalised quote. We respond within 48 hours with a detailed proposal.