LCA - A Fair and Cost Effective Way to Compare Two Products?

A full life-cycle assessment (LCA) is beyond the budget and/or time constraints of many potential users. A combination of screening and streamlined LCA is likely to be more cost effective. Screening LCA only can be used to identify key issues. Certain software tools allow for quick LCA and can be used e.g. for product development.

LCA methods allow for methodological choices which favour your own product. Consequently, the credibility is low of an LCA comparing your own product to competing products. Credibility can be enhanced, e.g. through transparency and/or peer review.