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Life cycle assessment (LCA) was about to be borne (Fava et al. 1990 ) and became
an international standard under ISO in 1997 (ISO 14040: 1997 ). Building on this
new standard industry, research and academia was able to use this method in a
consistent way. Due to differences in goal and scope between stakeholders the
interpretation of the systems and the results can be different; however keeping to
ISO ensures that the differences remain understandable and interpretable. This
empowers consumers or users of information to check against their own (technical,
political or private) motivations and boundaries. The method remains consistent and
transparent. The possibilities within this new assessment method reached beyond
engineers and scientists. The call to consistently measure, control and target against
life cycle results combined with related communication measures lead to a further
evolution.
Life cycle management (LCM) developed from a professional interpretation and
decision with the help of life cycle assessment. For most professional users of life
cycle based sustainability approaches in industry, these three evolutionary steps
belong together. LCT is the required mindset, LCA the method and LCM the
process.
1.1 From Pioneers to Industry Standards
There are many individuals mentioned if talking about scientifi c or societal thought
leaders in life cycle aspects and the roots of sustainability. However, thoughts stay
basically fi ctional until they are applied and measurable.
Pioneer companies like, e.g., Volkswagen, Daimler, Renault, BASF, DOW,
Wacker, ThyssenKrupp, and Amcor recognized quite early on the necessity and
opportunity to apply the topic in a professional manner using a standardized method,
related software tools, a blend of own in-house data, specifi c supplier data, realistic
upstream data and justifi ed background data.
During the 1990s, pioneer companies and organizations pace their way towards
international standards. Without these pioneers, LCM probably would not have
(or at least signifi cantly later) matured into applied LCA about two decades ago
(see also Hunkeler et al. 2004 ).
1.2 From Trial to Maturity
After the international standards were in force, the number of studies with questionable claims decreased, whereas the number of studies with reasonable results
increased. Most likely due to better identifi cation of unjustifi ed claims. Reducing
the arbitrary application of the method, combined with clear rules, described life
cycle assessment being implemented in a number of companies and organizations
in the mid-1990s to early 2000s to drive product innovation.
M. Baitz
Life cycle assessment (LCA) was about to be borne (Fava et al. 1990 ) and became
an international standard under ISO in 1997 (ISO 14040: 1997 ). Building on this
new standard industry, research and academia was able to use this method in a
consistent way. Due to differences in goal and scope between stakeholders the
interpretation of the systems and the results can be different; however keeping to
ISO ensures that the differences remain understandable and interpretable. This
empowers consumers or users of information to check against their own (technical,
political or private) motivations and boundaries. The method remains consistent and
transparent. The possibilities within this new assessment method reached beyond
engineers and scientists. The call to consistently measure, control and target against
life cycle results combined with related communication measures lead to a further
evolution.
Life cycle management (LCM) developed from a professional interpretation and
decision with the help of life cycle assessment. For most professional users of life
cycle based sustainability approaches in industry, these three evolutionary steps
belong together. LCT is the required mindset, LCA the method and LCM the
process.
1.1 From Pioneers to Industry Standards
There are many individuals mentioned if talking about scientifi c or societal thought
leaders in life cycle aspects and the roots of sustainability. However, thoughts stay
basically fi ctional until they are applied and measurable.
Pioneer companies like, e.g., Volkswagen, Daimler, Renault, BASF, DOW,
Wacker, ThyssenKrupp, and Amcor recognized quite early on the necessity and
opportunity to apply the topic in a professional manner using a standardized method,
related software tools, a blend of own in-house data, specifi c supplier data, realistic
upstream data and justifi ed background data.
During the 1990s, pioneer companies and organizations pace their way towards
international standards. Without these pioneers, LCM probably would not have
(or at least signifi cantly later) matured into applied LCA about two decades ago
(see also Hunkeler et al. 2004 ).
1.2 From Trial to Maturity
After the international standards were in force, the number of studies with questionable claims decreased, whereas the number of studies with reasonable results
increased. Most likely due to better identifi cation of unjustifi ed claims. Reducing
the arbitrary application of the method, combined with clear rules, described life
cycle assessment being implemented in a number of companies and organizations
in the mid-1990s to early 2000s to drive product innovation.
M. Baitz