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Sustainability assessment of product systems in dire straits due to ISO 14040–14044 standards: Five key issues and solutions

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  • Thomas Schaubroeck

Abstract

Quintessential for a more sustainable society is adequate sustainability assessment to guide us. In the case of environmental impact assessment of product systems, life cycle assessment (LCA) is the main method, with associated variants covering other sustainability pillars. At the core of LCA practice are the standards set up by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), namely ISO 14040–14044. However, I point out five key issues with these standards: (1) the presence of inconsistencies on crucial matters as pointed out in the literature; (2) a lack in major update since two decades; (3) mismanagement of notified issues; (4) lacking representativeness; and (5) a low or unclear relevance. I provide solutions for these but overall plea for a societal intervention to put this method back on track.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas Schaubroeck, 2022. "Sustainability assessment of product systems in dire straits due to ISO 14040–14044 standards: Five key issues and solutions," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 26(5), pages 1600-1604, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:inecol:v:26:y:2022:i:5:p:1600-1604
    DOI: 10.1111/jiec.13330
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Bo Weidema, 2014. "Has ISO 14040/44 Failed Its Role as a Standard for Life Cycle Assessment?," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 18(3), pages 324-326, May.
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    1. Irene Mazzei & Ruth Saint & Alistair Kay & Francesco Pomponi, 2024. "Embodied carbon quantification of luminaires using life cycle assessment and CIBSE TM65 methodologies: A comparison case study," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 28(1), pages 59-73, February.

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