Life cycle assessment
A standardised methodology for quantifying the environmental impacts of products across their life cycle. Defined by the ISO 14040:2006 and ISO 14044:2006 standards and applied in the EU via the PEF method.
Context
LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) is the standardised methodology for quantifying the environmental impacts of products across their life cycle, cradle-to-grave or cradle-to-cradle.
Regulatory origin
Originally defined by the ISO 14040:2006 (Principles and framework) and ISO 14044:2006 (Requirements and guidelines) standards. For EU textiles-footwear it is applied via the PEF method (Product Environmental Footprint) and PEFCR sectoral rules.
The 4 canonical phases of LCA (ISO 14040)
Goal and Scope Definition · the objective of the study + scope + functional unit.
Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) · input/output data of the system.
Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) · classification + characterisation + normalisation.
Interpretation · analysis of results + recommendations.
Timeline
ISO 14040 + 14044
Current versions of the basic LCA standards.
EU PEF Method
The Commission adopts the PEF method to harmonise LCA in the EU.
PEFCR Apparel & Footwear v3.1
Specific sectoral rules for textiles-footwear.
Applied case
A textile brand carries out an LCA of its flagship product (an organic-cotton t-shirt) to substantiate claims under the ECGT.
Goal & Scope: cradle-to-grave · functional unit 1 day of t-shirt use · coverage of cultivation + spinning + dyeing + garment-making + use + end of life.
LCI: gathers data from each Tier (BCI cultivation Pakistan, spinning Turkey, dyeing Portugal, garment-making Morocco).
LCIA: applies the PEFCR Apparel & Footwear v3.1 methodology, calculating 16 impact categories.
Interpretation: hotspots identified in cultivation (60 per cent Climate Change) and dyeing (40 per cent Water Use) · reduction plan 2025-2027.
Common mistakes
LCA is not just "carbon footprint".
The carbon footprint is one of several impact categories. LCA covers eutrophication, acidification, water scarcity, toxicity, etc. A CO2-only LCA is incomplete.
An LCA with secondary data is not the same as one with primary data.
Using generic databases (Ecoinvent) gives useful estimates but does not capture the reality of the specific chain. The DPP pushes towards primary data where feasible.
LCA is not a certification.
It is an analytical methodology. A company can have an LCA without third-party certification. For public claims (ECGT), independent verification does add value.
LCA does not capture social impact.
LCA covers environmental impact. For social impact, parallel methodologies are used (S-LCA, Social Life Cycle Assessment) with less standardisation.
Frequently asked questions
What is LCA (Life Cycle Assessment)?
Life Cycle Assessment — a standardised methodology for quantifying the environmental impacts of products across their life cycle, cradle-to-grave or cradle-to-cradle. Originally defined by the ISO 14040:2006 (Principles and framework) and ISO 14044:2006 (Requirements and guidelines) standards.
What phases does an LCA have?
Four phases under ISO 14040: (i) Goal and Scope Definition, (ii) Life Cycle Inventory (LCI · input/output data), (iii) Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA · classification + characterisation + normalisation), (iv) Interpretation. For EU textiles-footwear it is applied via the PEF method (Product Environmental Footprint) and PEFCR sectoral rules.
What impact indicators does LCA cover?
The EU PEF method sets 16 mandatory impact categories: climate change (CO2eq), ozone depletion, particulate matter, eutrophication freshwater/marine/terrestrial, acidification, photochemical ozone formation, water use, resource use mineral/fossil, land use, ionising radiation, ecotoxicity freshwater, human toxicity carcinogenic/non-carcinogenic.
How is LCA applied in textiles?
Via the PEFCR Apparel & Footwear v3.1 (launched Jun 2025) which applies the PEF method to the textiles-footwear sector, defining: the functional unit (1 day of use, not gross weight), durability as a critical variable, end-of-life via SCIP/EPR, modelling of organic vs conventional fibre. Voluntary for internal use, recommended to substantiate comparative environmental claims under the ECGT.
What is the difference between LCA and carbon footprint?
Under ISO 14040:2006 + ISO 14044:2006 (LCA principles + requirements) + ISO 14067:2018 (Carbon footprint of products): LCA covers the 16 environmental impact categories of the EU PEF method (climate change, ozone depletion, particulate matter, eutrophication, acidification, water use, etc.). Carbon footprint covers only climate change (CO2eq · 1 of the 16). A carbon footprint is technically a single-issue LCA under ISO 14067. LCA is the integral methodology; carbon footprint is a subset frequently communicated to the consumer.
Fuentes oficiales
- ISO2006Technical standard
- European Commission2024Sectoral rules
- Ecoinvent Association2024LCA database
