{"id":6931,"date":"2012-10-01T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2012-10-01T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/insulation.org\/io\/articles\/life-cycle-assessment-an-insulation-products-perspective\/"},"modified":"2017-06-09T20:25:13","modified_gmt":"2017-06-09T20:25:13","slug":"life-cycle-assessment-an-insulation-products-perspective","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/insulation.org\/io\/articles\/life-cycle-assessment-an-insulation-products-perspective\/","title":{"rendered":"Life Cycle Assessment\u2014an Insulation Products Perspective"},"content":{"rendered":"

“Science is 1 percent
\ninspiration and 99 percent perspiration.”<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite the fact that the
\nabove quote was recorded by Albert Einstein prior to the conception of the idea
\nof Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), it provides a perfect lead-in to this article.<\/span><\/p>\n

The evolution of a social media-driven society has expanded a
\ndemand for the “dumb it down” approach to explaining everything. For product
\nmanufacturers, this is especially evident in the overabundance of
\nsingle-attribute certification programs and rating systems criteria popping up,
\nas well as recent attention given to the alarmist hazard-based approach. Each
\nof these is meant to serve the purpose of providing a convenient, yet narrowly-focused
\ndefinition of “green.” Environmental science, though, involves comprehensive
\nconsideration of complex interactions of physical, chemical, and biological
\nprocesses. As a result, rendering judgments based on limited perspective (such
\nas a specific quality and\/or life cycle stage of a product), opens the door to
\nincreasing probability of unintended consequences from the broader viewpoint of
\nsustainability.<\/span><\/p>\n

LCA is a technique developed for the purpose of understanding
\nand addressing the environmental impacts of products, processes, or services.
\nIt involves quantifying and interpreting the energy and material resource
\ninputs, along with the environmental consequences of outputs, throughout a
\nproduct’s life cycle from raw material extraction to end of life
\n(cradle-to-grave). LCA is a science-based and holistic analytical method that
\nincludes the
\ncompilation of the consumption of energy and raw materials, as well as the
\nreleases to air, water, and land.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

As a result of recognition of its rigor and thoroughness,
\nalong with the development of international standards that have improved its
\nutility, LCA has emerged as an essential tool in the evaluation of environmental
\nimpacts associated with products. This recognition is particularly evident in
\nthe building and industrial construction community where designers are
\nincreasingly interested in the life cycle profile of the products and
\nassemblies that are being incorporated in specifications. As a result, it is
\ncritical that the manufacturer, specifier, and user of insulation products grow
\nfamiliar with the LCA concept.<\/span><\/p>\n

The purpose of this discussion is to provide overview
\ninformation regarding the key aspects of the LCA concept. The basic framework
\nfor conducting an LCA study and a description of the established mechanisms for
\neffectively delivering the results, both internally and externally, are
\nincluded. The reader will find that the focus of much of the information is
\nbuilding envelope thermal insulation, where substantial efforts have been
\ndevoted in recent years to the credible representation of sustainability
\nthrough the LCA tool. It can be noted that a close connection can be
\nestablished between these efforts and initiatives to define the life cycle
\nprofile of mechanical insulation products.<\/span><\/p>\n

Development of the LCA Technique<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Most are surprised that
\nthe LCA concept has been discussed and applied for several decades. It has been
\nwidely accepted for many years to provide a holistic perspective of
\nenvironmental impacts and, therefore, facilitate product development and
\ninnovation, as well as comparisons of product systems that fulfill the same
\nfunction. However, with its foundation on detail and completeness come
\nchallenges in its application. These include data collection consistency,
\nassumption development, and data availability limitations to all stages of the
\nlife cycle by the LCA practitioner, just to name a few.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

Technical committees of the International Organization for
\nStandardization (ISO) have prepared and updated documents for membership
\napproval for the purpose of standardizing aspects of the LCA technique. These
\naspects include everything from establishing principles to delivering results
\nin a reliable and comparable fashion. This evolving and continuous maintenance
\nprocess is intended to address the challenges discussed above and establish
\nrequirements that achieve global alignment with the application of the
\ntechnique while providing flexibility to focus on critical regional and product
\nsystem-related environmental impact issues.<\/span><\/p>\n

Conducting an LCA Study <\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

The
\nISO standards internationally recognized for the purpose of conducting an LCA
\nare ISO 14040 1<\/sup> and ISO 140442<\/sup>. The former establishes
\nthe principles and framework of the LCA study, while the latter establishes its
\nrequirements and guidelines. These standards state that “LCA addresses the
\nenvironmental aspects and potential environmental impacts?” and that an LCA
\nstudy is an iterative process involving four phases, as depicted in Figure 1
\n(ISO 14040) and described below.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Goal and scope definition<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

An LCA project begins with
\nthe development of a concise statement of the objective for conducting the
\nstudy. This includes its intended use as well as who would be the target
\naudience for communicating the results. If the study is meant to be part of a
\ncomparative assertion that will be disclosed to the public, the standard states
\nthat the disclosure of such purpose shall be included in the definition of the
\ngoal.<\/span><\/p>\n

The value achieved through the execution of a credible LCA
\nlies in its characteristics of transparency, rigor, and thoroughness.
\nTherefore, an explicitly defined scope that describes the breadth and detail
\nrequired in order to adequately address the defined goal is critical. In
\naddition to providing the user of the results with a crucial understanding of
\nthe context, the scoping serves as a blueprint for conducting the study. Key
\naspects of the scope are the establishment of the functional unit and the
\nsystem boundary (see the glossary inset). It is useful to describe the product
\nsystem with a flow diagram illustrating each of the unit processes within the
\nsystem boundary and their relationships with one another. Examples of details
\nthat are to be included in the definition of the scope are the study’s types
\nand sources of data, assumptions used, and limitations.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Inventory analysis<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

The “guts” of the LCA is
\nthe data, and this phase of the process involves its collection and analysis.
\nThe term that describes the data is the life cycle inventory, LCI. After
\nestablishing a flow diagram representing the entire product system, the LCI
\nanalysis involves the compilation of inputs to and outputs from each process
\nstage of the system boundary. The inputs must include all water and raw
\nmaterial requirements, as well as the embodied energy of these raw materials
\nand additional energy associated with completing each individual process stage.
\nThe outputs are all releases to air, land, and water. It should be noted that
\ntransportation requirements between each stage are to be included.<\/span><\/p>\n

Clearly, insulation supply chains can
\ninvolve dozens of specific processes and hundreds of flow inventories.
\nTherefore, data collection efforts likely will require the cooperation and
\nproject goal understanding of raw material suppliers and perhaps upstream
\nentities. In addition, regional differences occur as a result of matters such
\nas energy conversion and material sourcing, which must be considered in the LCI
\nanalysis.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

3. Impact assessment<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

The third phase is life
\ncycle impact assessment, LCIA, where the aim is to evaluate the LCI results to
\ngain an understanding of the magnitude of the product’s potential life cycle
\nenvironmental impacts. In order to achieve meaningful results, the ISO standard
\nestablishes mandatory elements of the LCIA. The first element is the selection
\nof the classifications of environmental concerns, or impact category(ies); the
\nrepresentation of each category, category indicator; and the models employed to
\nestablish corresponding characterization factor(s) applied to the LCI analysis
\nresults. This selection process must be consistent with the goal and scope of
\nthe LCA project. The second element is the classification step, or the
\nassignment of LCI results to specific impact categories; and the third is
\ncharacterization, through the calculation and summation of category indicator
\nresults.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

4. Interpretation<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

In the interpretation
\nphase, the results of the inventory analysis and impact assessment are
\nevaluated. Consistent with the defined goal and scope, the findings from these
\nevaluations are presented in the form of conclusions and recommendations. In
\naddition, limitations are to be identified and explicitly explained.<\/span><\/p>\n

The evaluation in this final phase involves utilizing reams
\nof LCI and LCIA data and raw results with the goal of meaningful conclusions,
\nlimitations, and recommendations, while achieving alignment with the
\nestablished goal and scope. This is clearly a daunting task. Not that it makes
\nit any less daunting, but ISO 14044 provides a framework for crossing this
\ncanyon. This framework begins with identifying issues of significant magnitude
\nand importance. The evaluation process then moves to a series of assessments
\nregarding data quality, results consistency, and sensitivity of assumptions.
\nThe credibility of the LCA study rests heavily on the level of due diligence
\napplied here. As indicated in Figure 1 with the opposing arrows to and from the
\ninterpretation phase and each of the other three phases, this is an iterative
\nexercise.\u00a0 When a check discloses a flaw with the results, it is necessary to
\ngo back to the calculations, assumptions, data sources, etc., and make the
\nnecessary changes. At times, it may be determined that an identified gap
\nrequires that the goal and scope definition be modified.<\/span><\/p>\n

This final phase is the transition from the meticulous detail
\nand complexity involved in conducting an LCA to the application of its findings
\nfor problem solving and decision-making. The successful LCA study is one that
\nis credible, transparent, and presented to the targeted audience in an
\neasy-to-understand fashion. This is particularly important when the intention
\nof the study includes comparing the LCA profile of the product studied to
\ncompetitive products performing the same function. <\/span><\/p>\n

Final Report and Critical Review<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Presenting results and conclusions
\nthoroughly and accurately to the target audience is a vital aspect of the LCA
\nconcept. Section 5 (Reporting) of ISO 14044 provides explicit guidance on the
\ncontext requirements for reporting information from the study. Details shall be
\nincluded on all elements of the four phases with the purpose of providing
\ntransparency to the reader regarding the execution of the study. In other
\nwords, to establish the legitimacy of the conclusions in the eyes of the
\nreader, it is necessary to provide full disclosure of such matters as:<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

– The data and methods utilized and
\nwhy<\/span><\/p>\n

– The assumptions made and why<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

As is the case with all aspects of the
\nstudy, the final report shall be structured in a manner consistent with the
\ngoal and scope.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Despite the best intentions, commitment, and painstaking
\nefforts of the party sanctioning the study and the LCA practitioner executing
\nit, there still could remain a question in the viewpoint of the target audience
\nor other affected stakeholders (such as manufacturers of competitive products)
\nas to its legitimacy. Although not necessarily a means of fully overcoming
\nthese doubts, the critical review process is intended to provide external
\nexpert and unbiased perspective to the means at which the study was conducted.
\nISO 14044 states the following:<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

“The critical review process shall
\nensure that<\/span><\/p>\n

– The methods used to carry out the
\nLCA are consistent with this International Standard,<\/span><\/p>\n

– The methods used to carry out the
\nLCA are scientifically and technically valid,<\/span><\/p>\n

– The data used are appropriate and
\nreasonable in relation to the goal of the study,<\/span><\/p>\n

– The interpretations reflect the
\nlimitations identified and the goal of the study, and<\/span><\/p>\n

– The study report is transparent
\nand consistent.”<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Under the ISO standards, a critical review is not a mandatory
\nrequirement unless the study includes comparative assertions and will be
\ndisclosed to the public. <\/span><\/p>\n

A critical review panel is composed of a minimum of three
\nmembers, with one of the members assigned as the chair. It is appropriate for
\nthe party sanctioning the study to select the chair, who will select the panel
\nmembers based on the goal and scope. Considering the broad-based analyses
\ninvolved in an LCA, it is important to select a panel with a diversity of
\npertinent expertise. For instance, in the case of an insulation product LCA, it
\nis prudent to select at least one panel member with knowledge of the insulation
\nindustry and markets.<\/span><\/p>\n

The review process involves examination of the data,
\nmethodologies used, and all background information of the study by the panel.
\nAs a result, agreements of non-disclosure of proprietary data and information
\nbetween the party sanctioning the study, the LCA practitioner, and the members
\nof the panel are often executed. Following the panel’s initial examination, the
\nchair will typically request additional information, clarification, and,
\nperhaps, initial recommendations for changes. After the panel receives
\nresponses, this process is repeated until panel members are comfortable that
\nthey have fulfilled their purpose. The details of the exchange between the
\npanel and the LCA sanctioning party and practitioner are to be recorded in the
\nfinal report and made publicly available.<\/span><\/p>\n

Product-Generic LCA<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

The substantial commitment
\nof resources required of the manufacturer initiating a full grass roots LCA
\nprogram for a portfolio of products can present a rationalization challenge. As
\na result, consideration of a collaborative industry effort is prudent. The
\npotential for synergistic advantages is particularly high for generic products
\nwith similar market property requirements and end-use applications, such as
\nindividual insulation materials.<\/span><\/p>\n

Typically, such an endeavor would be
\ninitiated and conducted through the trade organization representing the
\nproduct(s) involved. Following the establishment of an initial project mission,
\nthe assurance of a universal commitment by the participating product producers,
\nas well as their raw materials suppliers, is paramount. An important
\npreliminary action would be initial research on the availability and apparent
\nquality of updated inventory data for the key raw materials. As with an
\nindividual company-based LCA, it normally makes a great deal of sense to hire
\nan outside expert to perform the actual study. LCA practitioners have the skill
\nset to conduct it efficiently and credibly. In addition, it is essential that
\nthere is industry expertise providing project oversight and direction.
\nTherefore, it is advisable that trade organization staff or a member volunteer
\nbe assigned to manage the project.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once completed, and critically reviewed if possible, numerous
\noptions for effective utilization are available to the organization and its
\nproducer participants. For instance, an individual producer can use it to
\ndevelop its own LCA profile, saving substantial time and money in the process. <\/span><\/p>\n

The Many Applications of LCA<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

In examining the mass and
\nenergy flows from a cradle-to-grave standpoint, one has opened a wide array of
\npossibilities for better understanding, exhibiting, and improving the
\nenvironmental aspects of a product(s). LCA is a tool that can be used for both
\ninternal and external purposes. As discussed in the Goal and Scope Definition
\nphase of Conducting an LCA Study, though, it is essential to start the process
\nby deciding its “intended use as well as who would be the target audience for
\ncommunicating the results.” This section provides a brief description of the
\nmechanisms for sharing LCA results with various internal functional
\norganizations and external stakeholders.<\/span><\/p>\n

The potential utility of an LCA study
\nfor internal purposes requires understanding and engagement by several
\nfunctional groups within the organization. When leveraged as a core aspect for
\noperations and product development functions, the LCA results can play a
\nvaluable role in advancing process improvements and product innovation. Also,
\nthe cradle-to-grave perspective of the LCA tool provides insight into the
\nimpacts of upstream processes and can contribute to an effective vendor
\nmanagement program. In providing a foundation for a corporate sustainability
\nprogram, the development and maintenance of LCA profiles for a company’s
\nproduct portfolio is invaluable, if not essential. Armed with this detailed
\nknowledge of the environmental aspects of your company’s products and their
\nprocesses, reliable benchmarking against similar industries and competitors can
\nbe achieved.<\/span><\/p>\n

Incorporating
\nlife cycle thinking into internal initiatives can have a positive impact on
\nmarket image and position. The use of this science-based, holistic approach to
\nrepresenting and advancing environmental stewardship can provide positive
\nreinforcement to customers, stockholders, and the community. In addition, LCA
\nresults play a role in validation of regulatory compliance, such as substance
\nemissions reporting.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0There are several mechanisms for delivering life cycle
\ninformation outside of a company or industry. The most common is marketing
\nliterature, where specific environmental aspects of a product are promoted in
\norder to highlight its benefits. Special considerations are often involved when
\nit comes to representing these aspects in either business-to-business or
\nbusiness-to-consumer communications. Frequently, an organization wishes to make
\nclaims that require a higher level of validation, transparency, and\/or consistency
\nof representation. An example would be any case in which the claim would
\ninclude a comparative assertion. As a result, the external representation of
\nthe LCA profile of a product or product system is best served through a
\nstandardized process. Public or commercial databases and Environmental Product
\nDeclarations (EPD), which are described in the next section, are emerging as
\ndelivery mechanisms in the United States.<\/span><\/p>\n

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) manages the
\nU.S. Life Cycle Inventory Database 3<\/sup>, a publicly available
\nrepository of LCI data that is collected and analyzed through similar methods.
\nSoftware tools offered by Athena\u00ae<\/sup>, EcoCalculator4<\/sup>, and
\nImpact Estimator5<\/sup>, are commercial LCA database tools for building
\ndesigners. The EcoCalculator provides a quick snapshot of the environmental
\nfootprint for numerous pre-defined residential and commercial assemblies. The
\nImpact Estimator is a whole building tool for design teams to examine the
\nenvironmental impacts of various material and building product system choices.<\/span><\/p>\n

Recently, the LCA concept is frequently
\nutilized to rationalize public policy in the sustainability arena, and
\nLCA-based threshold criteria are more commonly cited in defining policy
\nprovisions. This is particularly evident in emerging green building standards
\nand codes, as well as sustainability product certification and green rating
\nsystems, namely Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).
\nInformation on specific green building policy is provided later in this article.<\/span><\/p>\n

Environmental Product Declaration<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

An important aspect of
\nenvironmental management is labels and declarations. These tools communicate
\none or more characteristics of a product in terms of its environmental impacts.
\nA producer may utilize these tools in order to influence purchasers to make
\ndecisions in favor of the company’s product. Therefore, they are intended to
\nexpand demand for product through continuous improvement from an environmental
\nimpact perspective. To ensure their usefulness, the information provided
\nthrough these tools must be accurate and verifiable. To facilitate development
\nof representative labels and declarations, ISO established a series of
\nstandards starting with general principles in ISO 14020 6<\/sup> and
\nincluding ISO 14025 7<\/sup>, establishing the procedures for EPDs. Also
\nrelevant to this discussion is the market segment-specific standard, ISO 21930 8<\/sup>.
\nThis standard supplements ISO 14025 by providing additional framework for
\ndeveloping EPDs for building products.<\/span><\/p>\n

The standards define an EPD as:<\/span><\/p>\n

“Providing quantified environmental
\ndata using predetermined parameters and, where relevant, additional
\nenvironmental information”<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

and state its purpose to be:<\/span><\/p>\n

“Present quantified environmental
\ninformation on the life cycle of a product to enable comparisons between
\nproducts fulfilling the same function”<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

An EPD is based on LCA\/LCI information, and the
\n“predetermined parameters” are set forth in ISO 14040 and ISO 14044. In other
\nwords, EPDs present information from ISO-compliant LCA studies in such a way as
\nto provide the reader with a meaningful comparison of products that serve the
\nsame purpose. To this end, ISO 14025-compliant, certified EPDs are founded on
\ntransparent methodology and validated data, along with consistency in
\npresentation of results.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

There are core elements of the procedural requirements of ISO
\n14025 and ISO 21930 that are important to note and understand. The first is the
\nselection of the program operator: the individual or organization contracted to
\nconduct various components of the EPD. The level of involvement by the program
\noperator in taking the project from a validated LCA study to the registration
\nand publication of the EPD is a matter of contractual agreement with the
\nclient. However, the standards are explicit regarding the components that the
\nprogram operator must perform to achieve compliance.<\/span><\/p>\n

Another element is the establishment of a functional unit.
\nThe product system for the EPD being developed performs a primary function. The
\nfunctional unit is the amount of the product needed to perform a specified
\nlevel of that function. Of course, the function for insulation is resistance to
\ntransfer of heat, so the functional unit is the amount required to provide a
\ncertain R-value. This unit is the subject on which all the information in the
\nEPD is based and serves a convenient means of comparing products. A special
\nelement for building products introduced through ISO 21930 is reference service
\nlife. As the name suggests, this is the expected life span for the product
\nunder in-use conditions. If the reference service life of a product is less
\nthan the design life of the building, the number of replacements necessary over
\nthe building life must be identified. This exhibits the importance of
\ndurability of a product or assembly in the life cycle profile.<\/span><\/p>\n

One last core element of EPDs to discuss here is that of
\nproduct category rules (PCR). In addition to the broad-based guidelines and
\nrequirements presented in ISO 14025 and ISO 21930, there is a need to establish
\na set of additional “rules” that are unique or customized to relevant aspects
\nof the “product category” before the EPD can be developed. A product category
\nis a group of products that serve equal functions, such as mechanical
\ninsulations or building envelope thermal insulations. In such case that an
\nappropriate PCR is not available, effort must be made to involve a broad range
\nof stakeholders in the establishment of a harmonious, consensus-based, and
\nopenly available ISO 14025-compliant document. An example would be the Building
\nEnvelope Thermal Insulation Product Category Rules, developed by the Insulation
\nCoalition and verified and registered by UL Environment as the Program Operator
\n9<\/sup>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Use-Phase Benefits<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

In conventional LCA
\nstudies for durable building products, environmental encumbrances associated
\nwith aspects such as required maintenance are evaluated during the relatively
\nlong Use-Phase portion of the life cycle. This is where thermal insulation
\nperforms its function of providing occupant comfort while limiting a building’s
\n(or an industrial process’) impact on the environment through conserving
\noperational energy. As a result, developing a perspective of the Use-Phase
\nbenefits of installing insulation or using additional insulation in an assembly
\nor system is critical in achieving a comprehensive understanding of the life
\ncycle impacts during the early design and decision-making stage.<\/span><\/p>\n

The prediction of energy performance for any given building
\ndesign is complicated by countless variables and influencing factors. Therefore,
\nit can be challenging for an insulation manufacturer to represent Use-Phase
\nbenefits of its products for marketing purposes, such as through an EPD, in a
\nmanner that is found to be credible by the intended audience. It is important
\nthat this representation be established with the same level of rigor and
\ntransparency as the LCA. A state-of-the-art, computer-based simulation program
\nthat has the ability to model the listed criteria of Section G2.2.1 in Appendix
\nG of ASHRAE 90.1-2010 10 <\/sup>and tested according to ASHRAE Standard 140
\n11<\/sup> (such as EnergyPlus 12<\/sup>) could fit the bill. In addition to
\nchoice of location(s)\/climate(s), selection of building design and numerous
\nsystem specifications are involved in the simulation exercise. With the purpose
\nof assessing the impact of various amounts of insulation, resource intensity
\ncan be minimized and a level of credibility in the analysis can be appreciated
\nby the audience through the application of the Department of Energy’s
\nCommercial Reference Buildings Project 13<\/sup>. Through this project,
\nextensive market research has been adapted into 16 typical buildings that have
\nbeen fully designed and their operation systems specified for 16 U.S. locations
\nwith fully populated EnergyPlus input files. There are three versions of each
\ninput file, providing widespread representation of newly constructed and
\nexisting commercial buildings in this country.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Glossary of LCA Terms<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/b><\/p>\n

Category Indicator. <\/span><\/b>A quantifiable representation of an impact category?e.g.,
\ninfrared radioactive forcing for
\nclimate change.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Characterization Factor.<\/span><\/b> A factor derived from a characterization model for
\nexpressing a particular environmental intervention in terms of the common unit
\nof the category indicator (e.g., photochemical ozone creation potential of methanol).<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Functional Unit.<\/span><\/b> The quantified function provided by the product system(s)
\nunder study, for use as a reference basis in an LCA?e.g., 1,000 hours of light
\n(adapted from ISO).<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Impact Category. <\/span><\/b>A class representing environmental issues of concern to which
\nenvironmental interventions are assigned?e.g., climate change, loss of
\nbiodiversity.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA).<\/span><\/b> The third phase of an LCA, concerned
\nwith understanding and evaluating the magnitude and significance of the
\npotential environmental impacts of the product system(s) under study.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Life Cycle Inventory (LCI).<\/span><\/b> The second phase of an LCA, in which the relevant
\ninputs and outputs of the product system(s) under study throughout the life
\ncycle are, as far as possible, compiled and quantified.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Product Category Rules (PCR)*.<\/span><\/b> A set of specific rules, requirements,
\nand guidelines for developing Type III
\nenvironmental declarations for one or more product categories.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Program Operator*. <\/span><\/b>Body or bodies that conduct(s) a Type III environmental
\ndeclaration program.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Reference Service Life**. <\/span><\/b>Service life of a building product that is known or
\nexpected under a particular set?i.e., a reference set?of in-use conditions, and
\nthat may form the basis of estimating the service life under other in-use
\nconditions.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

System Boundary.<\/span><\/b> The interface between a product system and the environment
\nsystem or other product systems.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

Source: <\/span><\/i>Handbook on Life
\nCycle Assessment. 7th ed. New York: Kluwer Academic Publishers, 2004.<\/i><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

* Denotes source is
\nISO-14025 7<\/sup><\/span><\/p>\n

** Denotes source is
\nISO-21930 8<\/sup> <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

References<\/span><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

1International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
\n2006. ISO 14040:2006 Environmental management ? Life cycle assessment ?
\nPrinciples and framework. Geneva, Switzerland.<\/span><\/p>\n

2International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
\n2006. ISO 14044:2006 Environmental management ? Life cycle assessment ?
\nRequirements and guidelines. Geneva, Switzerland. <\/span><\/p>\n

3National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). U.S. Life
\nCycle Inventory Database. www.nrel.gov\/lci\/.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

4Athena Sustainable Materials Institute. EcoCalculator.
\nwww.athenasmi.org\/our-software-data\/ecocalculator\/<\/i>.<\/span><\/p>\n

5Athena Sustainable Materials Institute. Impact
\nEstimator. http:\/\/www.athenasmi.org\/our-software-data\/impact-estimator\/<\/i> <\/span><\/p>\n

6International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
\n2000. ISO 14020:2000 Environmental labels and declarations ? General
\nprinciples. Geneva, Switzerland.<\/span><\/p>\n

7International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
\n2006. ISO 14025:2006 Environmental labels and declarations ? Type III
\nenvironmental declarations ? Principles and procedures. Geneva, Switzerland.<\/span><\/p>\n

8International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
\n2007. ISO 21930:2007 Sustainability in building construction ? Environmental
\ndeclaration of building products. Geneva, Switzerland.<\/span><\/p>\n

9Underwriters Laboratories Inc., 2011. Building
\nEnvelope Thermal Insulation Product Category Rule Number UL 110116. www.ul.com\/global\/documents\/offerings\/businesses\/environment\/PCRs\/ULE_PCR_EnvelopeThermalInsulation.pdf.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

10\u00a0\u00a0 American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and
\nAir-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. 2010. ANSI\/ASHRAE\/IESNA Standard 90.1-2010
\nEnergy Standard for Buildings except Low-Rise Residential Buildings. Atlanta,
\nGA.<\/span><\/p>\n

11\u00a0\u00a0 American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and
\nAir-Conditioning Engineers, Inc. 2004. ANSI\/ASHRAE Standard 140-2004 Standard
\nMethod of Test for the Evaluation of Building Energy Analysis Computer
\nPrograms. Atlanta, GA.<\/span><\/p>\n

12\u00a0\u00a0 U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and
\nRenewable Energy. EnergyPlus. http:\/\/apps1.eere.energy.gov\/buildings\/energyplus\/<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

13\u00a0\u00a0 U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Efficiency and
\nRenewable Energy. Commercial Reference Buildings. http:\/\/www1.eere.energy.gov\/buildings\/commercial_initiative\/reference_buildings.html.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/span><\/p>\n

\n
<\/a>Figure 1<\/b><\/div>\n
<\/a>Figure 2<\/b><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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