A product life cycle encompasses the complete sequence of stages that a product passes through, from its initial creation to its final disposal. This includes the production phase, where raw materials are extracted and transformed into the finished product, the use phase, where the product fulfils its intended function, and the final disposal phase, where the product reaches the end of its useful life and is treated, recycled, or discarded.
In the context of Life Cycle Assessment, the product life cycle forms the foundation for analysing environmental impacts across all stages of a product's existence. ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 establish this cradle-to-grave perspective as essential for comprehensive LCA studies, ensuring that no significant environmental burdens are overlooked by focusing solely on one stage of the product's journey.
The concept differs fundamentally from the marketing definition of product life cycle, which describes market-oriented phases: introduction, growth, maturity, and decline. Whilst the marketing perspective focuses on commercial performance and market dynamics over time, the LCA perspective focuses on physical transformations and environmental exchanges throughout a product's physical existence.
This comprehensive view enables practitioners to identify environmental hotspots across the entire chain of activities, from raw material extraction through manufacturing, distribution, use, and end-of-life management. Understanding the product life cycle in this way supports more informed decision-making about product design, material selection, and waste management strategies that can reduce environmental burdens across all life cycle stages.
The term "product chain" is used synonymously with product life cycle, emphasising the sequential and interconnected nature of the activities involved in bringing a product into existence, maintaining its function, and managing its end of life.
