ISO 14040 & 14044 - Review of Life Cycle Assessments

Critical review according to ISO 14071

In order to assess the impact of certain products on the environment, a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is the instrument of choice. This standardized and scientifically based methodology increasingly forms the basis for development processes and marketing strategies related to environmental performance. LCAs also play an increasingly important role in the regulatory context. In order to ensure the credibility of LCAs in the long term, their review by an independent body such as DQS is indispensable.

External critical review by an internationally recognized certifier

Improved public image

High credibility of your cited data

Enables comparability

Life cycle assessments: An unstoppable development

For a long time, at least in the public eye, the focus of product-related environmental analyses was on CO2 accounting. However, there is a growing awareness that a one-sided focus on greenhouse gases does not do justice to many important environmental aspects. If you want to analyze the environmental impact of a product, you cannot limit yourself to greenhouse gases alone, but must include all environmental aspects throughout the entire life cycle.

ISO 14040 and ISO 14044

To ensure the comparability of life cycle assessments, the International Organization for Standardization has drawn up two complementary standards: the principles and framework of life cycle assessments are described in ISO 14040; the requirements themselves are set out in ISO 14044.

A standard-compliant LCA typically includes four phases:

The definition of objectives and the scope of the study,
The preparation of a life cycle inventory (an inventory of inputs and outputs),
The impact assessment,
And finally, the evaluation.

ISO 14040:2006 Environmental management — Life cycle assessment — Principles and framework

ISO 14044:2006 Environmental management — Life cycle assessment — Requirements and guidelines

Both standards are available on the ISO website at www.iso.org.

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The critical review: An independent review of the LCA

A critical review by experts in accordance with ISO 14071 is recommended, particularly regarding the publication of your life cycle assessment. DQS will guide you through the review process and put together a committee of experts in accordance with the ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards. Finally, a report and a confirmation are issued.

Sequence of the critical review of a life cycle assessment

The first step is to learn about your company, organization, needs, and expectations. Once the review's objectives, including the applicable standards and specifications, are defined, you will receive a quote for the pre-assessment.

During the pre-assessment, for example, the exact nature of the assignment, the scope of application, the objectives, and other criteria are clarified. Based on the results, DQS prepares the calculation and plans for the critical review. This information is incorporated into a detailed proposal tailored to your company's individual needs. All relevant services and applicable audit and review criteria are specified and agreed upon.

Based on the previously prepared planning, the assigned team of experts checks the respective declaration using the applicable standards and specifications. Among other things, evidence is collected and checked, sites are visited, and estimates and calculations are reconstructed and analyzed.
If necessary, a document review in advance supplements the critical review. The review result, including all findings, is presented to you during the final meeting. If necessary, action plans are agreed upon.

The results of the critical review are evaluated by DQS's independent certification board. If all requirements are met, you will receive a report and the critical review statement for your company.

For the review of another report or declaration, for example for the following period, a renewed audit is carried out. The critical review report and the critical review statement are valid for the respective LCA and thus have no validity period.

How much does the review of a life cycle assessment according to ISO 14044 cost?

The cost for a critical review of a life cycle assessment depends, among other things, on the scope and complexity of the life cycle assessment. We will be happy to make you an individual offer for your company or organization without obligation.

Why DQS is the perfect partner for the review of your LCA

Detailed knowledge of standards and specifications, as well as many years of industry-specific experience
Global network of highly qualified auditors
Highly solution-oriented and customer-focused
Offers and services tailored to your organization's needs