Question

Explain the goal and scope of LCA.

Answer 1

The first phase of an LCA study consists of defining the goal and the scope of the study. This is a

very important part in the LCA, as it determines and guides the choices to be made in the other

phases of the study. Therefore it is recommended to spend sufficient time in this phase, to clearly

define what is the purpose of the study, the intended use of the results and what should be included.

In the end, this will save time in the other phases of the work.

It should also be noted that during the course of the study it may be necessary to come back and

redefine the goal and scope when more knowledge has been acquired about the product system.

Issues and information that were not known or could not have been foreseen in the beginning of the

work may require that the goal needs to be reformulated. , For example, original goal set for the

study might not be possible to fulfil. This reflects the iterative nature of LCA.

The ISO 14040 standard states that the goal of the study should define:

 The intended application and the reason for carrying out the study

 The intended audience, i.e. to whom the results are intended to be communicated

 Whether the result is intended to be used in comparative assertions disclosed to the public

The goal is defined together with the commissioner for the study. A clear description should be

acquired of the commissioner’s reasons for carrying out the study, and the intended applications and

audience for the result from the study. This is the fundamental basis for determining the scope for

the study