Survey on the international recognition of the EDIP Methodology for life cycle assessment

1. The EDIP Methodology for life cycle assessment

1.1 The EDIP Methodology, comparison to other methodologies
1.2 Competitors to EDIP

1.1 The EDIP Methodology, comparison to other methodologies

All experts know the EDIP methodology well, and many have used it.
All experts are positive or very positive towards EDIP.
A majority of the experts declare that EDIP is the most advanced, complete and consistent LCA methodology available today.
EDIP represents the state-of-the-art and is a well-documented reference method for LCA.
The EDIP books present the methodology thoroughly in both Danish and English. They are recommended as manuals for companies, consultants and universities.
EDIP is - contrary to other methodologies - in line with the ISO standards.
Many experts express great recognition of the Danish contribution to the international environmental product assessment work.
Some experts believe that EDIP will converge towards an international best practice for LCA.

Danish experts further stress that:
EDIP is suitable for interpretation and assessment in all phases.
EDIP stimulates considerations regarding quantity, quality and duration, and it guides the user through the process, thereby preventing errors.
Further development of EDIP is concentrated in Denmark.

Criticism of EDIP is quite limited.

1.2 Competitors to EDIP

  1. A joint UNEP-SETAC project is being launched that will aim at some best practice for LCA. A reference method will be established and a revision of the ISO 14040 standard will be initiated. There is general agreement that Danish experts are important contributors to this work. Michael Hauschild participates.
  2. At a national level, LCA is an issue in Norway, Sweden, The Netherlands, Switzerland, France and to some extent in the USA. There is no international co-ordination, and – compared to other methods - EDIP has a relatively strong position.
  3. A project about life cycle impact assessment is being carried out with contribution from The Netherlands, USA and Japan.
  4. SimaPro is the most important commercial competitor at the PC tool level with a good GUI, but with limited data. The methodology behind, EcoIndicator 99, is used by many users with limited knowledge.
  5. EDIP and the ISO 1404X standards were based on Nordic guidelines that were developed by The Nordic Council of Ministers.