UNEP/SETAC International Life Cycle Initiative

Process on "Global Guidance for LCA Databases"


1. Project title: UNEP/SETAC International Life Cycle Initiative - Process on "Global Guidance for LCA Databases"

2. Type of Project: Co-Governed

3. Number of Participants: 60 members who are recognized practitioners and experts in the Life Cycle Community

4. Scope of the project: Global

5. Period: September 2009 - Ongoing

6. Specific Goals: 
  • To step up a process in order to develop a global guidance document for LCA databases. The process will assist in reaching consensus by arriving at an agreement among the leading LCA database experts worldwide on the content of a global guidance document for LCA databases which then will be drafted as part of the process.
  • To provide a platform to discuss related issues and to achieve consensus. One important event will be the Pellston Workshop gathering experts in 2011
  • The results of the process including the 2011 Workshop will serve the regional, national as well as industry database initiatives in their efforts. 

7. Outputs until now:
  • Steering committee to overview the process was set up in February 2010 with 12 participants representing Governments, Industry and Academia/NGO
  • The Workplan has been produced and reviewed by the Steering Committee to emphasize the international nature and scope of the process
  • Promotional documents including a flyer and website to effectively communicate the Global LCA database guidance process are completed
  • Proposed time, location and venue of the workshop: Asia 1st or 2nd week of Feb. 2011

8. Progress done so far: 20%

9. Next Meeting: Face - to - Face. 6th International Consultation 
on the ‘Global Guidance Process for LCA Databases’ 26th May 2010 in Seville

10. Project Leader: 
United Nations Environment Programme
Sustainable Consumption and Production Branch

Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC)



Publicly available documents




How can interested persons get involved in this project?
Please contact: ilci@unep.org