Additional information
International organisation for standardization (ISO) – Norm ISO 14040:2006
UNEP/SETAC – Guidelines for social life cycle analysis of products
Life cycle thinking seeks to take into account the environmental, economic and social relationships of a product or service from cradle to grave.
- A product life cycle includes:
- Raw materials extraction and processing
- Manufacturing
- Packaging and distribution
- Use
- End of life
Each life cycle phase consumes energy and resources and generates social, economic and environmental impacts. Life cycle thinking aims to minimize the negative impacts and strengthen the positive ones without transferring issues to another phase in the life cycle. Environmental life cycle costing analysis (LCCA) and social life cycle analysis (SLCA) are among the life cycle management tools that may be used to assess environmental, economic and social aspects (Source : CIRAIG).
Within the ECPAR
Most ECPAR members rely on life cycle thinking to set out responsible procurement criteria. The ECPAR also applies the approach to determine the focuses of its product data sheets. In 2010, the ECPAR innovated by carrying out a social life cycle analysis of computers. The International Reference Centre for the Life Cycle of Products, Processes and Services (CIRAIG), which brings together 130 researchers, professors and students, is one of the ECPAR’s founding members.
Hydro-Québec has used life cycle analysis for several years to assess its products and services. The provincial Crown corporation generally calls upon the International Reference Centre for the Life Cycle of Products, Processes and Services (CIRAIG) to carry out the mandates. Below are three of the life cycle analyses that were conducted for Hydro-Québec.
- Incandescent and compact fluorescent light bulbs, July 2008
- Small-scale distributed electric power generation, May 2013
- Small-scale distributed electric power generation, June 2013
In 2011, when the Ministère du Développement durable, de l'Environnement et des Parcs (MDDEP) implemented the Regulation respecting the recovery and reclamation of products by enterprises, RECYC-QUÉBEC in collaboration with the CIRAIG and Groupe AGÉCO carried out a life cycle analysis of two end-of-life management channels for computer equipment: refurbishment for reuse and recycling. The study clearly demonstrated the environmental benefits of computer equipment refurbishment as compared to direct recycling. While recycling recovers materials and therefore avoids the manufacturing of virgin materials, refurbishment extends the service life of the equipment, postponing the manufacturing of new equipment. The social analysis confirmed that the reuse system generated more social benefits than direct recycling. In addition, in compliance with the 3R-RD hierarchy, reuse yields better social impacts for local communities, young people in bridge-to-work and training programs and efforts to promote social responsibility to value chain stakeholders.
Several other organizations in Québec have carried out social life cycle analyses, including the Association des recycleurs de pièces d’autos et de camions (ARPAC), which mandated Quantis and Groupe AGÉCO to conduct a social and environmental life cycle assessment of recycled car parts to compare the performances of its parts versus those of parts from competing channels. The findings scientifically confirmed that recycled auto parts constituted better options than new or generic parts, specifically for these reasons:
- Recycled parts avoid the manufacturing of new parts
- Recycled parts extend the service lives of functional parts that would otherwise be recovered
- The use of recycled parts helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
From the socioeconomic perspective, the study reveals that the auto parts recycled by ARPAC members are more likely to yield positive social and economic benefits.