8. LCA and ISO standard

The initial problem faced when carrying out an LCA is to precisely define the area to be studied and its boundaries. The ISO 14040 series of standards was introduced for this purpose. It includes ISO 14040, published in 1998, which sets out the principles and framework of the standard. It was later supplemented by ISO 14041, ISO 14042 and ISO 14043:

• ISO 14041 defines the objective, scope and analysis of the inventory;

• ISO 14042 sets out the main features of the life cycle impact assessment phase;

• ISO 14043 is a standard for interpreting life cycles.

The methodology of ISO 14040, which now includes ISO standards 14041, 14042 and 14043, is summarized in figure