Worldwide, businesses are under increased pressure to reduce their environmental impact as sustainability regulations grow. A Life Cycle Assessment in 2025 has become a critical tool for companies aiming to enhance sustainability, comply with regulations and improve product design. LCA offers a methodical way to assess a product's environmental impact over its whole life cycle, from raw material extraction to disposal. As regulations continue to tighten and consumer expectations shift towards environmentally responsible products, conducting a product life cycle assessment is a necessity for improving sustainability.
What is Life Cycle Assessment?
A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a scientific method used to measure the environmental impact of a product, service or process. It assesses multiple stages of the product’s life, including:
- Raw material extraction: Spotting energy usage and resource depletion in material procurement.
- Manufacturing and processing: Analysing emissions and waste generated during production.
- Transportation and distribution: Assessing the carbon footprint associated with logistics.
- Usage phase: Measuring energy and water consumption during product use.
- End-of-life disposal: Understanding the impact of recycling, landfilling or incineration.
LCA is an internationally recognised method, following standards such as ISO 14040 and ISO 14044, ensuring consistency and credibility in environmental impact assessments.
Phases of Life Cycle Assessment
1. Goal and Scope Definition
This phase determines the purpose of the LCA, the system boundaries and the functional unit (e.g., per product or per kilogram of material).
2. Life Cycle Inventory (LCI)
The LCI phase involves data collection for energy and material inputs, emissions, and waste generation at each stage of the product life cycle. It provides detailed insights into raw material sourcing, production processes, and waste management.
In this phase, the collected inventory data is evaluated to determine its impact on key environmental categories, such as:
- Carbon footprint (global warming potential)
- Water usage and pollution
- Resource depletion
- Eutrophication (nutrient pollution in water bodies)
4. Interpretation and Improvement Strategy
The final stage involves interpreting the results and identifying opportunities for product carbon reduction and sustainability improvements. Businesses can use these insights to make more informed decisions about materials, production processes, and end-of-life strategies.
Read More: Life Cycle Assessment Stages: Explained
Why Every Product Needs a Life Cycle Assessment in 2025
Regulatory Compliance
Governments in various countries are implementing stricter environmental policies, making life cycle assessment in 2025 an essential practice for businesses. The European Union’s Green Deal, for instance, aims for carbon neutrality by 2050, pushing industries towards carbon reduction strategies. The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) rules of the UK also emphasise the requirement of thorough LCA studies to evaluate waste effect and packaging.
Consumer Demand for Sustainable Products
Consumers are becoming more environmentally conscious. LCA helps businesses meet this demand by providing transparency about a product’s environmental impact. In a recent example, leading bio-technology company C-Biotech wanted to measure the environmental impact of their C-Hemp Sandwich Insulation Panel. They contracted Tunley Environmental to conduct a LCA adhering to ISO 14067 standard. The sustainability scientists at Tunley assessed everything from cradle-to-gate for the sandwich panel which were quantified at 67.3 kg CO2e and for total emissions including biogenic uptake, the results were -22.7 kg CO2e. Quantify their sustainability credentials resulted in C-biotech's Insulation panel having emissions of -7.6 kgCO2e/m2 compared to between 10 and 60 kgCO2e/m2 from similar insulation panels.
Read More: C-biotech Case Study With Tunley
Competitive Advantage and Brand Reputation
Companies that integrate product life cycle assessment into their operations gain a competitive edge. Sustainable branding and eco-labelling, backed by LCA data, enhance brand credibility and attract eco-conscious customers. Businesses investing in LCA show corporate responsibility, improving relationships with stakeholders and investors.
Cost Reduction and Resource Efficiency
LCA identifies inefficiencies in resource usage, allowing companies to cut costs by optimising raw material selection, energy consumption and waste management. Moreover, conducting LCA can help businesses avoid carbon taxes and penalties, ensuring financial sustainability alongside environmental responsibility.
Corporate Sustainability Strategy
The first step in a well-executed carbon reduction strategy is awareness of the environmental impact of a product. In line with corporate sustainability objectives, LCA results offer important new perspectives for lowering carbon emissions and gaining net-zero pledges. Many industries, including fashion and electronics, are integrating LCA findings into research and development, leading to low-carbon innovations.
The Benefits of LCA for Sustainability Certifications
LCA plays a crucial role in obtaining sustainability certifications such as:
- BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology)
BREEAM assesses the environmental performance of buildings and infrastructure projects. LCA is a key component in evaluating the sustainability of construction materials and reducing embodied carbon. - LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
LEED certification rewards buildings with low environmental impact. Conducting an LCA helps businesses choose materials and designs that meet LEED sustainability criteria. - ISO 14001 (Environmental Management Systems)
ISO 14001 focuses on sustainable resource management and pollution reduction. A comprehensive life cycle assessment aids organisations in meeting ISO 14001 requirements by identifying environmental risks and improvement opportunities. LCA findings also contribute to compliance with ISO 14067, which specifically addresses carbon footprint assessments of products.
The Bottom Line
As businesses look to incorporate sustainability in their operations, conducting a life cycle assessment is essential for regulatory compliance, cost savings and carbon reduction. By evaluating the environmental impact of products at every stage, companies can make informed decisions that align with sustainability certifications and corporate sustainability goals. For organisations looking to incorporate life cycle assessment in 2025, Tunley Environmental offers expert guidance in conducting full LCA studies using industry-approved methodologies. To learn more about how Tunley Environmental can assist with product life cycle assessment, visit this page.