ISO 14040 and ISO 14044

ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 are the foundation of product environmental assessment. ISO 14040 sets out the principles and framework of life cycle assessment; ISO 14044 provides the detailed requirements and guidelines that a study must meet to claim conformance.

What they cover

Together the standards define the four phases of an LCA (goal and scope, inventory analysis, impact assessment and interpretation), the concept of the functional unit, the rules for setting a system boundary and cut-off criteria, the allocation procedure for multi-output processes, data quality requirements, and the reporting and critical review requirements.

Comparative assertions

ISO 14044 sets stricter requirements when an LCA is used for a comparative assertion disclosed to the public, including a critical review by a panel of interested parties. This is one reason why EPDs, which are not meant for direct comparison without a common PCR, carry explicit limitations.

Amendments

Both standards have been amended since 2006 to clarify requirements without changing the framework; the four-phase structure remains.

Where Verdatir fits

Every review on the Verdatir platform is anchored to ISO 14040/44 concepts, so that whichever declaration standard applies on top, the underlying LCA logic is checked consistently.