Environmental Project, 907 – LCA and the working environment – 3 The methodology in relation to the ISO 14040-series

LCA and the Working Environment

3 The methodology in relation to the ISO 14040-series

The discussion of the methodology in relation to the ISO 14040-series in the following chapters is based on the assumption that the assessment of the working environment is an integrated part of the EDIP method. It can be used as the starting point for the definition of goal and scope for a study including the working environment, and it can also be used when interpreting the results and how they were derived.

The discussion is mainly based on the accepted standard EN ISO 14040 (1997), but includes elements from the ISO 14041 standard (Goal and scope definition and inventory analysis), and the draft standards ISO14042 (Life cycle impact assessment) and ISO 14043 (Life cycle interpretation).

3.1 Practical remarks regarding the use of the methodology

The method for assessment of working environmental impacts in LCA is developed to function along with the other impact categories addressed in the EDIP LCA-method.

In practice this is reflected in the developed database, the aim of which has been to produce information on working environmental impacts for many of the unit processes in EDIP.

The easiest way to include the working environment in EDIP is by integrating the database on working environmental impacts in the existing PC-tool. This has not been possible within the project period, but may be possible in connection with a general update of the PC-tool and the methodology.

Meanwhile, it is suggested that assessment of the working environment in LCA is done either by having the practitioner entering the data manually into the PC-tool or by making a spreadsheet in which the calculations can be done.

When this has been done it is possible to include the working environment in the interpretation of the results of a LCA using the general EDIP method.

The following chapters give a realistic picture of the pros and cons of the developed methodology with respect to the four elements in an LCA:

Goal and scope definition
Inventory analysis
Impact assessment, and
Interpretation

The discussion does not cover all elements in equal detail, but focuses on those that are assumed to be the most interesting seen from the point of view of the LCA practitioner and the decision-maker.