Toolbox

Explore tools, systems, and databases to support your work in life cycle assessment. This page brings together resources from the Swedish Life Cycle Center and other providers. Browse the available resources to find practical tools for your needs.

Tools

Over the years, the Swedish Life Cycle Center has developed a variety of tools and systems. Below you can explore some of them together with information about softwares for LCA.

The EPS system

EPS, which stands for Environmental Priority Strategies in Product Design, is a systematic approach for choosing between design options in product and process development. It provides environmental damage cost data, enabling designers and developers to integrate environmental considerations into the decision-making process.

TrEx analysis tool

The TrExTool enables the comparison of transport and logistics solutions by evaluating trade-offs between costs and environmental impacts. It was developed as part of a project involving industry and research partners.

EPS light-spreadsheet

EPS Light is a spreadsheet-based tool developed for LCA training of designers and product developers. It provides environmental damage cost data for construction materials, energy use, and transportation, helping users evaluate the environmental consequences of different product concepts.

LCA softwares

Most Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) are carried out using dedicated software tools that help manage data, model systems, and calculate impacts. A variety of LCA software is available, offering different features and capabilities to suit different study objectives and user needs.

LCA data

Life cycle assessment relies on high-quality data. LCA databases offer data on materials, processes, products, and services. While some databases are freely accessible, others require a subscription.

The Swedish Life Cycle Center has been involved in a variety of projects related to life cycle data. Learn more about some of these initiatives and their contributions here.

Working Group Data & Methodology

Project Life cycle data strategy

Project CPM LCA database

Databases

A variety of databases are available to support life cycle assessment. Explore some of them here.

CPM LCA Database

The CPM LCA Database provides transparent and quality-reviewed life cycle inventory (LCI) data for use in life cycle assessment. Developed within the Swedish Life Cycle Center, the database contains datasets from a variety of organizations and is managed by Environmental Systems Analysis at Chalmers University of Technology. The data in the CPM LCA Database is open and accessible for free to researchers and practitioners.

The Life Cycle Data Network

The Life Cycle Data Network (LCDN) is a global platform for sharing quality-assured LCA datasets. It brings together data from a wide range of organizations, including industry, research groups, consultants, and national LCA initiatives.

European Platform on Life Cycle Assessment

The European Platform on Life Cycle Assessment (EPLCA) provides methods, data, and tools to support the application of life cycle thinking. Developed by the European Commission, it aims to integrate life cycle approaches into EU policy and business practice.

The Global LCA data access network

The Global LCA Data Access (GLAD) network improves access to life cycle assessment data by connecting independently operated LCA databases through a common interface. It enables users to discover and access datasets from multiple providers while supporting interoperability between different data formats and systems. GLAD was developed within the UNEP Life Cycle Initiative with support from international partners.