Figure 1.7. Relevance of different methods for future forecasting in relation to the application areas of life cycle assessment. time long term     Normative   product legislation    societal action plans          Scenario product development         Exploratory     performance criteria                               Participatory 5 years               product standards, from now                marketing claims Modelling taxes & subsidies    employee and/or supplier          ecolabelling criteria requirements & incentives Extrapolating     generic consumer                 now                 information               hot-spot identification            historical       product declaration Forecasting not relevant        coverage specific generic