A good is a Product with a mass, representing a tangible product that can be physically handled, measured, and transported. This distinguishes goods from intangible products, which are classified as Services.
The defining characteristic of a good in the context of Life Cycle Assessment is its physical presence. Goods possess mass and occupy space, whether they are raw materials, intermediate products within a supply chain, or final consumer products. Examples include manufactured items such as vehicles, electronics, and packaging materials, as well as natural resources like timber, minerals, and agricultural products.
It is important to note a terminological distinction between economics and LCA. In economic literature, the term "good" is often used more broadly to encompass both tangible goods (products with mass) and intangible goods (services without mass). This broader economic usage treats "goods" as synonymous with what LCA practitioners would call "products" - the comprehensive category that includes both tangible and intangible outputs.
However, within the LCA framework, the term good maintains a more specific meaning, referring exclusively to products with mass. This narrower definition is essential for accurate system modelling, as tangible goods and intangible services often have fundamentally different environmental profiles. Goods typically involve material extraction, manufacturing processes, physical transportation, and end-of-life waste management, whilst services may have different impact patterns related primarily to energy use and human activities.
Understanding this distinction is crucial for practitioners conducting life cycle assessments, as it influences how product systems are defined, modelled, and analysed according to the ISO 14040 series standards.
