4. Tool limitations

Lifecycle analysis is therefore an ecodesign tool. It can be a powerful tool, but it also has its limitations, not least the complexity of its implementation. Indeed, the use of expert software and often costly databases restricts its use to a few multinationals, and limits its contribution to the analysis of existing products and processes.

LCA is therefore a particularly interesting tool, as it enables a multi-criteria analysis to be carried out over the entire life cycle, without being limited to a single stage (end-of-life, etc.) or a single impact (carbon footprint, etc.). What's more, this tool is standardized thanks to the ISO standards that describe it. What's more, the same impact, assessed at each stage, can be "added up" to give a clearer picture and help decision-making. And finally, nothing is published without first being reviewed by a group of experts....