Lifecycle assessment

w:Life Cycle Assessment (or LCA) is a tool designed to evaluate effects associated with a product, a process or an activity. It relies on a goal definition, then the identification and qualification of input and output of energy and matter. Data will be used to assess the impact of the use in the environment and evaluate potential improvement. LCA includes extraction, use of primary matter (materials choice), production, transport, distribution, use/reuse/repair, recycling and final processing. Initial goal set-up is critical.

LCA is the theoretical core of [[ISO 14000] standards, and a pre-requisite to any service economy definition. The government of China has committed to it as a long-term goal.

Materials choice is a critical element of LCA. For example, the ISO 14000 version of LCA in its strongest form would forbid making a key from aluminum because each use of it generates aluminum oxide which is toxic. Making it from brass or steel instead has no such effects.