Chalmers Conferences, LCM 2013

THE CRITICAL REVIEW ACCORDING TO ISO 14040+44 - HOW AND WHY IT CAME ABOUT
Walter Klöpffer

Last modified: 2014-09-11

Abstract


The revision of the ISO standards in 2006 brought changes to the critical review process of the older series (1997-2000). A peer review for LCA-studies was first proposed in the earlier SETAC document (1993). The ISO 14040 standard (1997) took up this proposition and described three types of “Critical review” which are optional in general, but mandatory “for LCA studies used to make a comparative assertion that is disclosed to the public”. This strong prescription was further reinforced in the revised standards and stricter, unambiguous formulations were added. The main reasons for introducing the critical review are the improvement of LCA studies, especially if they contain comparative assertions, and the high potential misuse of LCA studies in marketing.

Keywords


Life Cycle Assessment; LCA; critical review; ISO 14040; ISO 14044

References


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