LCA: Building and the Ecosystem
Product Declarations

1 Product labeling
This tool is extensively used for medicaments, food and other consumer goods. The content of the product in its last production stage is indicated. The only evaluation is the choice of components.

Form

Standardized declaration of the components of a product

Advantages

Creates a certain transparency for the user. As a specialized tool it stresses the importance of relevant components. The system works well in the medical and food sector for people with allergies. It could certainly be generalized for building materials in relation to allergy risks.

Disadvantages

There is no explicit relation between causes and effects; the user is rather helpless in the interpretation. The fact that the processes preceding the final state of the product are not taken into account can lead to wrong decisions concerning the eco-toxicology of a product.

Examples

Standardized product labeling for building products

2 Life cycle analysis
The whole production-use-disposal process of a product is analyzed. The flows are attributed to products. The input-output equality (balance) assures that nothing gets lost. A product is charged with - the materials physically present in the product -the materials physically produced during the whole process (including emissions, waste, byproducts etc.) The total primary energy content is a very rough environmental impact indicator. There are several names in use: eco-balance, material and energy flow balance etc.)

Form

Quantitative balances, Inventories

Advantages

The only method to allow -- through clear distinction of flows -- a controlled application in the planning process.

Disadvantages

Complicated to establish. No international agreement on how to situate the system limits. Without evaluation there is no immediate application in the planning process.

Examples

Methods for life cycle inventory and life cycle analysis

> References
BEW-Handbuch:Methodische Grundlagen für Energie- und Stofflussanalysen. Bundesamt für Energiewirtschaft. 1992.
BEW-Leitfaden: Regeln zur Datenerfassung für Energie- und Stofflussanalysen. Bundesamt für Energiewirtschaft. 1992.
BUNDESAMT FÜR UMWELTSCHUTZ: Oekobilanz von Packstoffen.Stand 1990. . Heft 132 . Bern 1991
SIA: Deklarationsraster für ökologische Merkmale von Baustoffen. Zürich 1994

Form	Standardized declaration of the components of a product
Advantages	Creates a certain transparency for the user. As a specialized tool it stresses the importance of relevant components. The system works well in the medical and food sector for people with allergies. It could certainly be generalized for building materials in relation to allergy risks.
Disadvantages	There is no explicit relation between causes and effects; the user is rather helpless in the interpretation. The fact that the processes preceding the final state of the product are not taken into account can lead to wrong decisions concerning the eco-toxicology of a product.
Examples	Standardized product labeling for building products

Form	Quantitative balances, Inventories
Advantages	The only method to allow -- through clear distinction of flows -- a controlled application in the planning process.
Disadvantages	Complicated to establish. No international agreement on how to situate the system limits. Without evaluation there is no immediate application in the planning process.
Examples	Methods for life cycle inventory and life cycle analysis