Expert insights to help you make confident, informed LCA decisions
Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) are powerful tools for generating credible data and driving measurable impact. Before we get to the FAQ, let’s quickly define LCA and EPD.
A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a comprehensive method for assessing the environmental impact of a product at every stage of its life cycle — from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal.
LCAs are the foundation for creating Environmental Product Declarations (EPD), a standardized, third-party verified document that summarizes LCA results in a clear and comparable way.
An LCA is generally used internally to improve materials and processes, pinpoint environmental “hot spots,” guide product design and shape sustainability strategy. EPDs help companies transparently communicate their environmental performance to customers, stakeholders and regulatory bodies. SSC has developed LCAs that meet rigorous international standards (ISO 14040/14044, ISO 14025, ISO 21930, and
EN 15804+A2/AC) and align with market demands, providing a strong foundation for credible, impactful EPDs.
Are the acronyms feeling like their own FAQ? Check out our blog post where we break down these terms using a simple example — a can of soup! Read “Sustainability Alphabet Soup” here.
8 Questions about LCAs that Companies are Asking — Answered by Our Sustainability Experts
Curious what it all means in practice? You’re not alone. With nearly 25 years of experience completing LCAs for a wide range of industries — from building and construction to chemicals, pharmaceuticals, technology, consumer packaged goods, and more — we know that many clients have similar questions when it comes to LCA/EPDs. We gathered the most common questions we hear and added our expert insights to help guide you forward with confidence.
What are the benefits of creating an LCA or EPD?
Identify areas of improvement in processing and materials
Pinpoint environmental hot spots across a product’s life cycle
Provide credible data for market positioning
Enable effective responses to customer information requests
Meet regulatory or sustainability reporting requirements
Create a competitive advantage
By having an LCA, your products may become more desirable to your customers procurement teams as it can help support quantification of their Scope 3 Purchased Goods and Services impacts.
2. Do I need to create an EPD? What if I do not manufacture a building/construction product or what if I am a raw material supplier to a product manufacturer?
EPDs are predominantly used in the building and construction industry (specifically in North America). EPDs are product specific focused but can be manufacturer-specific or industry-wide.
For non-building and construction products or raw materials suppliers, the LCA study can be developed to ISO 14040/ISO 14044 and ISO 14067. Instead of an EPD, many companies share an LCA fact sheet to communicate key results clearly and transparently.
3. What if no product category rule (PCR) exists for my product?
If no PCR exists for your product, you can work with your industry association to see if one is being developed or planned. For building and construction products persuing an EPD, the study may utilize international (ISO) or EN standards as the core PCR. For this approach, manufacturers should first confirm this method is acceptable with the Program Operator conducting the critical review.
For non-building and construction products, it’s still possible to develop a robust LCA following the core standards (ISO 14040/14044) without a PCR. Product category rules are primarily used for EPD development with some used for product carbon footprints. Depending on goal and scope, many LCAs do not need a PCR.
4. How reliable are the datasets used in LCA software?
The datasets in LCA software (such as SimaPro or LCA for Experts, formerly GaBi) are typically reviewed and verified by third parties. They often represent regional processes for average production methods.
5. how long does it take to develop an LCA/EPD?
On average, the timeline for development of an LCA/EPD can range from six to ten months. The timeline can depend on a range of factors including:
Produce Complexity
Number of sites included in the scope
Number of LCA reports and EPDs you need
Duration of time required for the company to provide the necessary data
Time required for the third-party review by the Program Operator or critical reviewer
6. Can I group products in an EPD?
Yes, you can but there are rules. The requirements for grouping will be identified in the PCR. As a general rule of thumb, products which have the same function (falling under the same PCR), and whose environmental impacts vary less than 10% in each impact category, across each stage of the entire life cycle may be grouped in one EPD.
Some PCRs may require you to present your “worst-case scenario” product, provide scaling factors, or report the results for each stock keeping unit (SKU) individually in the EPD.
7. Are EPDs internationally recognized?
Yes, EPDs are globally recognized. However, different regions may have specific requirements for (LCIA) methodologies (TRACI vs. CML) or specific standards
(i.e., ISO 21930 vs. EN 15804+A2/AC).
For Example:
In North America, TRACI (developed by the EPA) is predominantly used
Globally, CML is more common
The European Union requires EPDs to use specific methods such as the
EN 15804+A2/AC LCIA methodology for building products or EF.3.1 for other product categories.
Ultimately, the standards used will be dictated by the Product Category Rule (PCR), if applicable and available. It is critical to understand which end markets may be requesting or using the EPD information.
8. Does recycled content have to be pre-consumer or post-consumer to count in an LCA?
In LCA, both pre-consumer (post-industrial) and post-consumer content are treated as recycled content. However, it is important to note this ruling can change depending on the Product Category Rule. For example, certain PCRs will treat pre-consumer as scrap vs. recycled content; therefore, only postconsumer content would abide by the cut-off methodology for LCA.
In addition, by-products may be treated as recycled content or burden-free depending on physical, economic, or other parameters. This could be discussed on a case-by-case basis.
From Understanding to Action: What’s Next?
A well-executed LCA can do more than just measure impact — it can shape strategy, strengthen your brand, and empower you to lead in your industry. Ready to take the next step? Discover what type of LCA is right for your company by taking our quick 7-question Readiness Assessment.
Meet the Expert
Cara Vought, LCACP
Senior Technical Consultant
Cara has over 13 years of experience in product stewardship and corporate sustainability strategy. She specializes in developing life cycle assessments (LCAs) and product carbon footprints, conducting independent LCA reviews to ISO standards, supporting industry associations and collaboratives in program development, and facilitating audits for sustainable manufacturing initiatives and LEED certifications.
She earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Delaware, with minors in Sustainable Energy Technology and Environmental Engineering. Cara also served as an adjunct professor at Jefferson University, where she taught architecture and design students how to think about materials sustainably. She believes that sustainability is an ever-evolving field that requires continuous learning and adaptation. With a passion for education, she works closely with SSC’s clients to help them expand their knowledge and integrate sustainability into their business practices.
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