ISO 14044:2006 is the international standard that specifies requirements and provides guidelines for conducting Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies. Together with ISO 14040:2006, which establishes the principles and framework for LCA, ISO 14044 forms the foundational pair of standards that govern life cycle assessment methodology and practice.
ISO 14044 provides detailed requirements and guidance for all phases of an LCA study. This includes the goal and scope definition, where the purpose, system boundaries, and functional unit are established. It covers the life cycle inventory analysis phase, specifying how to collect and calculate data on inputs and outputs of the product system. The standard also addresses life cycle impact assessment, outlining how to evaluate the magnitude and significance of potential environmental impacts. Finally, it provides guidance on the interpretation phase, where results are analysed and conclusions drawn.
A distinguishing feature of ISO 14044 is its prescriptive nature compared to ISO 14040. Whilst ISO 14040 describes the principles and framework, ISO 14044 sets out the specific requirements that must be met for an LCA study to be compliant with the standard. This includes mandatory elements for each LCA phase, requirements for data quality, allocation procedures for multi-output processes, and specifications for critical review when studies are intended for comparative assertions disclosed to the public.
The standard emphasises the iterative nature of LCA, recognising that each phase uses results from other phases and that refinement may be necessary as the study progresses. ISO 14044 also provides detailed guidance on handling methodological choices, such as system boundary definition, allocation approaches, and impact assessment method selection, ensuring transparency and consistency across LCA studies.
For practitioners, ISO 14044:2006 serves as the operational guide for conducting rigorous and defensible life cycle assessments that support environmental decision-making and communication.
