A screening (Tier 1) LCA is a simplified life cycle assessment used for rapid hotspot identification, eco-design decisions, and early-stage product carbon footprint estimates. It follows the principles of ISO 14040/14044 and ISO 14067 but relies on secondary data (databases, EPDs, defaults) rather than full primary data collection.
What is the difference between cradle-to-gate and cradle-to-grave?
Cradle-to-gate covers life cycle stages A1 (raw materials), A2 (inbound transport) and A3 (manufacturing) — up to the factory gate. Cradle-to-grave adds distribution (A4), installation (A5), use (B1-B7), end-of-life (C1-C4) and benefits beyond the system (D). Most corporate PCFs start at cradle-to-gate and extend as data improves.
Which standard should I use — ISO 14067, PEF, or EN 15804?
ISO 14067 is the general international standard for product carbon footprints. PEF (Product Environmental Footprint) is the EU methodology for multi-indicator product environmental assessments, with product-specific category rules (PEFCRs). EN 15804 applies to construction products and is the basis for most construction EPDs. All three are compatible at the inventory level.
How accurate is a screening LCA?
A screening LCA typically achieves +/- 20-40% accuracy at the total-footprint level, depending on how much primary data is used and the quality of background databases (ecoinvent, GaBi, EF, IDEMAT). It is accurate enough for eco-design decisions and reporting a first PCF, but regulatory claims (e.g. EU Green Claims Directive) usually require a more detailed full LCA.
What data do I need to run a screening LCA?
At minimum: a Bill of Materials with material type and mass per component, manufacturing site energy use (or defaults), inbound freight distances, and packaging. Formist extracts this from BOM exports and supplier EPDs and applies emission factors from ecoinvent/EF databases.
Can a screening LCA be used as an EPD?
A screening LCA is not sufficient to publish an Environmental Product Declaration. EPDs require a full LCA following product-specific Category Rules (PCR), verified by an independent third party. A screening LCA is a good first step and can identify which data needs to be strengthened before commissioning an EPD.