Cradle to gate is a system boundary definition in Life Cycle Assessment that encompasses all Activities from raw material extraction (the "cradle") through to the point where the Product leaves the factory gate, before it is transported to the end user. This boundary excludes the distribution, use phase, and end-of-life stages of the Product life cycle.
The cradle to gate approach is particularly useful when the primary focus is on understanding and optimising manufacturing processes and supply chain impacts. It provides manufacturers with detailed insights into the Elementary exchanges and Impacts occurring within their direct control and immediate upstream supply chain, without the added complexity of modelling consumer use patterns and disposal scenarios which may vary significantly across different markets and applications.
This system boundary is commonly employed in Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for business-to-business communication, where downstream manufacturers need verified data about the environmental profile of materials and components they procure.
Cradle to gate assessments can be extended to cradle to grave analyses by including distribution, use phase, and end-of-life treatment stages. The choice between these system boundaries should be determined during the goal and scope definition phase of the Life Cycle Assessment, based on the study's intended application and the decisions it aims to support.
