Understanding your updated LCA results

What is background data?

Every LCA combines two layers of data. Only one of them was updated from 3.6 to .3.10.1.

Who owns the background data?

ecoinvent

An independent non-profit organization in Zürich, Switzerland.

LCA.no does not change this data, we follow ecoinvent's release.

Where the update happens.

Every EPD from our system is built in four steps. The update only touches step 1, the background data.

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What does it mean for your results?

Your results are calculated with the background data, so an update can move them, up or down, depending in what your product relies on.

↑↓Results can go both ways.

Not every dataset got "worse". Cleaner electricity or better data can lower a result just as easily as raise it.

⚡Electricity-intensive products move most.

If production relies heavily on grid electricity or diesel, expect a larger shift than the typical figures.

Using your new results.

Compare like with like.

Only compare results calculated with the same Environmental Footprint (EF) method. Every EPD published with ecoinvent 3.9 and above uses EF3.1 and they not be compared to earlier versions. The ecoinvent version is stated in your EPD.

Your existing EPD is still valid.

A background-data update does not require you to re-publish an EPD before it expires. However, new EPDs will now be published with the updated data

Working with a target or baseline?

When working towards meeting a set target for emission factors it is important to remember that comparing results between an old and new version of products calculated with different versions of ecoinvent, may not reflect the true change in results based on change made in the value chain.

“The change in our results reflects an update of the background database, from ecoinvent 3.6 to 3.10.1. Our product and production are unchanged."

Questions or feedback? Contact support@lca.no