May 12, 2025
What are ISO 14040 and ISO 14044?
The ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards explain how LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) studies should be conducted, including methods and methodologies. In other words, if we liken LCA to a product, we can define the ISO 14040-44 standards as a ‘user manual’.
So, what do these standards actually explain?
ISO 14040
The ISO 14040 standards were published in 1997 under the code ISO 14040:1997, as the name suggests. This standard remained valid as the first standard defining LCA until 2006. Subsequently, in 2006, the ISO technical committee divided the ISO 14040 standards into two different standards due to the complexities of standardization proportionate to the difficulties of the LCA process.
ISO 14040:2006 - Principles and Framework
ISO 14044:2006 - Requirements and Guidelines
In this version, ISO 14040 provides a framework and principles that need to be optimized for LCA studies.
LCA Work Framework
The ISO 14040 standards require a framework consisting of 4 steps to be followed for LCA studies. These 4 steps are not necessarily followed linearly. For example, the ‘interpretation’ step can be revisited at all other stages.
Goal and Scope
This is the stage where the purpose and objectives of the study are defined. It determines which part of the life cycle of the product or service to be analyzed will be addressed and what the impact categories will be.
What is included in the study and what is not is determined at this stage. Due to the complex structure of LCA studies, this is a critical ‘planning’ phase.
2. Life Cycle Inventory Analysis (LCI)
This is the stage where data is collected and listed. Data is collected and listed in a format called 'resource flow' at this stage. This is the most complex and error-prone part of the entire process, so firms may prefer to use a platform or work with a consultant during this phase.
3. Life Cycle Impact Analysis (LCIA)
At this stage, the data obtained in the second phase is listed according to the requirements of the ‘impact category’ defined in the first phase.
For example, if we are analyzing in the ‘global warming potential’ category mentioned earlier, we should convert our data into CO₂-e and classify it.
4. Interpretation
At this stage, all the data obtained from the previous phases is rechecked and verified. In other words, all listed data, their sources, and questions such as what the data is used for or what it explains are answered.
Although interpretation is the final step in the framework, it should be carried out in parallel at every phase. Due to the complex nature of LCA, carrying out interpretations at every stage increases the reliability of the process.
ISO 14044
We previously stated that the ISO 14040 standards provide a framework for LCA studies. The ISO 14044 standards detail how this framework should be followed. That is, it elaborates on the general framework and presents methods for LCA.
We can liken the ISO 14044 standards to a detailed guide for the applications of ISO 14040. All methods that can be followed and utilized in LCA work are listed here. However, the key sections contained within the ISO 14044 standards are critical for the LCA process.
Data collection and data quality requirements
Defining system boundaries
Functional unit selection
Distribution methods
Selection of impact categories and categorization
Consistency of results, uncertainty, and sensitivity analyses
Critical review processes
Along with the sections mentioned above, ISO 14044 focuses on the technical challenges of the LCA process.
The Importance of ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 Standards
There are many benefits to perfectly following the ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards when conducting LCA studies. However, all these benefits actually stem from a single effect of these standards.
The ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards make your LCA studies reliable and accurate according to international standards.
Now, we will examine the benefits of ensuring the accuracy and reliability of LCA studies according to international standards.
Reliability for Stakeholders
Accurate and reliable LCA studies serve as the most trustworthy source for stakeholder declarations with their broad scope and deep analyses. Although it is a singular study based on products or services, an LCA prepared according to international standards creates a reliable prestige source for a company’s environmental impacts both at the product and corporate level.
Compliance with Regulations
Despite the low awareness today, LCA will gain significant importance in the future as awareness and applicability increase. Conducting LCA studies under the ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards facilitates your compliance with upcoming regulations.
Reliable Marketing
An LCA conducted under ISO standards is one of the most detailed and reliable types of studies providing information on environmental impact measurement methods. For this reason, it can be listed as a data source that companies can freely use in sales and marketing activities and declare to the public.
Measuring the environmental impacts based on products and services also leaves a positive impression at the public level for the mentioned products or services. By correctly interpreting and utilizing these data sets, it is possible to use them as a prestige source in marketing various products or services.
Transparency in the Supply Chain
One of the most complex and error-prone aspects of the concept of corporate carbon footprint calculated and reported under ISO 14064-1 is the supply chain emissions. Since LCA considers the entire life of products and services, an accurate and reliable LCA portrays the normally more challenging supply chain emissions in the most transparent manner.
Other ISO Standards Related to ISO 14040 and ISO 14044
The ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards are not only very important parts of the “ISO Environmental Management” standards family on their own, but since LCA is a very comprehensive study, they are also closely related to other environmental management standards.
ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 can facilitate the application of various ISO standards. Additionally, some standards can assist in implementing the ISO 14040 and 14044 standards. Some ISO standards include examples necessary for the application of ISO 14040 and ISO 14044.
ISO 14047
It offers examples for the third step, ‘life cycle impact analysis’, listed within the ISO 14040 standards. It does not impose any obligations.
ISO 14048
Standardizes data formats for LCA.
ISO 14049
It provides examples for the second step, ‘life cycle inventory analysis’, listed within the ISO 14040 standards. It does not impose any obligations.
ISO 14071
It provides guidance for the ‘critical review’ phase that we listed within the ISO 14044 standards. Although it is not mandatory, it should be followed for academic or publicly available LCA studies.
ISO 14064
It describes the concept of ‘corporate carbon footprint’ for companies. Within these standards, corporate emissions are listed and reported in 3 categories. While it may seem independent of the LCA process, it is anticipated that LCA studies will be beneficial for comprehensive corporate carbon footprint studies in the future.
ISO 14067
It is defined as the product carbon footprint. It follows a similar logic to LCA. However, while LCA analyzes the environmental impacts of a product in detail in the selected category, the product carbon footprint refers only to the emissions caused by a product or service, not as detailed as LCA.
ISO 14068
It refers to the standards for being carbon neutral.
ISO 14025
It explains the standards for EPD (Environmental Product Declaration). In short, we can say it’s a version of LCA used for structural studies.
CarbonSmart and LCA
Although it is still not as popular as the corporate carbon footprint or CBAM today, LCA studies are unquestionably critical in the world of sustainability in the future.
At this point, CarbonSmart is by your side with LCA consulting in this challenging process. Carry out your LCA studies with our expert consultants. Increase your brand prestige while ensuring compliance with future regulations in advance.
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