livsløpsdata

Livsløpsdata, or life cycle data, refers to the quantitative and qualitative information that characterizes the full life cycle of a product or service, from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal. It typically covers material inputs, energy consumption, emissions to air and water, waste generation, water use, transport, and maintenance, as well as use-phase performance and end-of-life options such as recycling or reuse.

The data are used in life cycle assessment (LCA), which estimates environmental impacts; in environmental product declarations (EPD); and in sustainability reporting and circular economy design. Companies collect livsløpsdata from suppliers, production records, testing, and LCA databases (for example ecoinvent, GaBi, openLCA), and integrate it with product data management and ERP systems.

Standards and quality considerations play a central role. Key standards include ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 for LCA methodology, ISO 14025 for Type III environmental declarations, and sector-specific standards such as EN 15804 for construction products. Data quality aspects include completeness, representativeness, geographic and temporal specificity, unit consistency, and uncertainty assessment.

Challenges and governance are important. Data availability and confidentiality can limit coverage; interoperability between disparate systems can be difficult; and keeping data up to date as processes change is essential. Effective livsløpsdata governance requires clear data ownership, documentation, versioning, and transparent documentation of assumptions and cut-off criteria. Collaboration along the supply chain improves data coverage and accuracy.

Applications of livsløpsdata include comparing product environmental performance, identifying hotspots for improvement, guiding design for sustainability, and supporting procurement decisions that prioritize lower-impact options.