In a world demanding proof of green claims, lifecycle assessments are no longer optional, they’re expected. But not all carbon data is created equal.
To make your environmental claims credible, science-based, and compliant, they must be built on the right standards. That’s where ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 come in, the globally recognized framework for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).
What Are ISO 14040 and ISO 14044?
ISO 14040 and 14044 are international standards created by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) to guide the methodology, consistency, and transparency of LCAs.
| Standard |
Description |
Use Case |
| ISO 14040 |
Outlines the general principles and framework for conducting a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), including goal definition, scope, inventory, impact assessment, and interpretation. |
Provides structural guidance for LCA studies across sectors, including maritime and manufacturing. |
| ISO 14044 |
Specifies detailed requirements and guidelines for LCA, including methodological choices, allocation rules, data quality, reporting, and critical review. |
Used by practitioners to ensure that LCA calculations meet scientific, transparent, and comparable standards. |
Together, these form the scientific foundation for credible lifecycle emissions analysis, from raw material extraction to end-of-life.
Why These Standards Matter
ISO 14040 and 14044 are the benchmarks for:
- Product carbon footprinting (PCF)
- Regulatory reporting (like CSRD and EU Taxonomy)
- Green claims validation
- Environmentally-frienly design and procurement
They ensure environmental impact data is consistent, transparent, and verifiable, which is increasingly required by customers, auditors, and regulators.
How an ISO-Compliant LCA Works
LCA under ISO 14040/14044 follows four core stages:
- Goal and Scope Definition: This sets the purpose, boundaries, and focus of the LCA. For example, are you evaluating a full product lifecycle (“cradle-to-grave”) or just production (“cradle-to-gate”)? Defining this clearly is essential for meaningful and comparable results. At this stage, decisions are made about functional unit, system boundaries, assumptions, and data requirements.
- Life Cycle Inventory (LCI): This is the data-gathering phase. It involves collecting all the relevant inputs (materials, energy, water) and outputs (emissions, waste) across every stage of the product’s lifecycle. LCI requires reliable primary and secondary data sources and often depends on collaboration with suppliers to ensure completeness.
- Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA): In this phase, the environmental impacts of those inputs and outputs are assessed. These can include climate change (CO₂e emissions), ozone depletion, resource depletion, acidification, and more. ISO 14044 outlines how to link inventory data to impact categories using scientifically recognized methods, enhancing transparency and comparability.
- Interpretation: Finally, results are interpreted and checked for completeness, sensitivity, and consistency. This phase includes identifying significant issues, drawing conclusions, and making recommendations. The interpretation must be aligned with the original goal and scope of the study.
Pro tip: For high-impact use cases (like Scope 3 emissions or product comparisons), third-party verification is often recommended.
In short, these principles ensure that the LCA is not only thorough but also transparent, reproducible, and aligned with international best practices, especially important when results are used for decision-making, reporting, or regulatory compliance.
When and Where to Use ISO 14040/14044
- Product Carbon Footprint (PCF): Know the cradle-to-gate emissions of any part or system
- Eco-design: Compare materials and manufacturing options
- Sustainable procurement: Select suppliers based on carbon intensity
- Environmental labeling: Underpin claims with hard data
- Customer reporting: Deliver accurate Scope 3 emissions
Real-World Applications
ISO 14040/14044 are used in different industries, like:
- Maritime (e.g. vessel lifecycle impact)
- Manufacturing (e.g. product carbon footprint)
- Construction (e.g. materials analysis)
ReFlow’s ISO-Aligned LCA Approach
At ReFlow, we use ISO 14040 and 14044 as the foundation for all lifecycle modeling on our ClimateHub platform. Our methodology supports:
- Scope 3 emissions mapping
- Cradle-to-grave product assessments
- PCF documentation aligned with CSRD, GHG Protocol, and EU standards
- Digital lifecycle models for real-time climate decision-making
Whether you're a manufacturer, supplier, or maritime stakeholder, ISO-aligned data is your best defense against greenwashing, and your path to more informed, climate-smart operations.
Ready to Build ISO-Compliant Lifecycle Assessments?
If your business needs lifecycle transparency that stands up to scrutiny, ReFlow is here to help.
Let’s turn your climate data into action, backed by ISO standards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are ISO 14040/14044 mandatory?
Not by law, but they’re globally recognized as the scientific basis for LCA. Many regulatory schemes, like CSRD, indirectly require their use.
Q: What’s the difference between ISO 14040 and ISO 14044?
14040 provides the overall framework. 14044 gives the technical rules for conducting and reporting an LCA.
Q: Can I use this for Scope 3 emissions?
Yes. ISO-compliant LCAs are often used to calculate Scope 3 emissions for purchased goods and capital equipment.
