Concept and Implementation of the Internet Site on Life Cycle Assessment Tools, Databases and Services, and on Life Cycle Data in Support of the European Integrated Product Policy

Abstract

The “European Platform on Life Cycle Assessment (EP-LCA)” is a project of the European Commission established by DG Environment and DG Joint Research Centre (JRC). It has the main goal to support and promote the application of life cycle thinking among stakeholders in the development of goods and services, and in facilitation of a broad range of policies and strategies. The Internet site on Life Cycle Assessment tools, databases and services, and life cycle data, which is described in this paper, will be one of the main deliverables of the EP-LCA project. This web site will support and augment the activities of the EP-LCA by providing, in its first version, three main components: i) introductory information about LCA, ii) the Commission’s database driven repository of Life Cycle Inventory data sets and Life Cycle Impact Assessment factors (i.e. the European Reference Life Cycle Data System, ELCD), and iii) a database driven comprehensive directory of third party LCA tools, databases, services and service provider descriptions.