Life Cycle Analysis (LCA)

An examination, like an audit, of the total impact of a product or service’s manufacturing, use, and disposal in terms of material and energy. There are few standards yet in measuring and assessing these impacts but a Life Cycle Analysis is usually wider in scope than similar assessments, such as the Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) and the Substance Flow Analysis (SFA). This includes an analysis and inventory of all parts, materials, and energy, and their impacts in the manufacturing of a product but usually doesn’t include social impacts.