Every Product Has a
Carbon Story.
A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) or Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) tells you where your product's emissions truly come from — across every stage, from raw material to end-of-life.
Our service goes further with sensitivity analysis — stress-testing the assumptions behind your numbers so your results are defensible, decision-ready, and built to withstand scrutiny from customers, regulators, and auditors.
Three Levels of Lifecycle Scope
We work with you to define the right boundary for your goal — from a focused supplier declaration to a full circular economy study.
Cradle to Gate
Covers raw material extraction through to the point of manufacture — the standard starting point for supplier declarations and B2B carbon claims.
Typical use cases
- Supplier carbon disclosures
- B2B product declarations
- Internal benchmarking
Cradle to Grave
Extends through distribution, customer use, and end-of-life disposal — giving the most complete and honest picture of a product's total environmental impact.
Typical use cases
- Consumer product labelling
- EPD certification
- Green marketing claims
Cradle to Cradle
Accounts for material recovery, recycling, and re-use at end-of-life — the gold standard for circular economy products and closed-loop supply chains.
Typical use cases
- Circular economy strategy
- Recyclability claims
- Take-back scheme design
Why Sensitivity Analysis Changes Everything
Most LCA firms give you a single number. We show you the full picture — and the confidence interval behind it.
Every LCA Contains Assumptions
Emission factors vary by source. Allocation methods differ. Data gaps get filled with proxies. A standard LCA reports one set of results — but rarely tells you how much those results could change.
We Stress-Test Your Numbers
Our sensitivity analysis varies key parameters — energy mix, transport distances, material origins, allocation rules — to show the range of plausible outcomes and identify which assumptions matter most.
Results You Can Defend
Whether facing a customer audit, regulatory review, or greenwashing challenge, sensitivity analysis gives you the evidence to defend your carbon claims with confidence and transparency.
Illustrative sensitivity output — parameter variation on PCF result
Illustrative only — actual ranges depend on product and data quality
Our Methodology
ISO 14040/14044-compliant from step one — with sensitivity analysis built in, not bolted on.
Goal & Scope Definition
Define the functional unit, system boundary, and intended audience for the study
Life Cycle Inventory (LCI)
Collect and validate material, energy, water, waste, and transport data across all lifecycle stages
Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA)
Apply GHG Protocol and ecoinvent emission factors to quantify CO₂e contributions at each stage
Sensitivity & Uncertainty Analysis
Vary key parameters to produce result ranges, identify dominant assumptions, and flag data quality issues
Interpretation & Hotspot Mapping
Translate results into clear recommendations — which stages, materials, or processes to target first
Report, Review & Certification
Deliver an ISO 14040/14044-compliant report with third-party review and EPD or carbon label support
What You'll Receive
PCF per Unit / per SKU
Product carbon footprint expressed in kgCO₂e per functional unit, auditable and traceable
Full LCA Report (ISO 14040/14044)
Compliant lifecycle assessment with system boundary, data quality, and methodology documentation
Sensitivity Analysis Report
Monte Carlo and parameter variation analysis showing result ranges and key assumption drivers
Hotspot Map
Visual breakdown of which lifecycle stages and materials contribute most to the footprint
Comparison Modelling
Side-by-side carbon comparison of design alternatives, materials, or supplier options
EPD & Carbon Label Support
Documentation and verification support for Environmental Product Declarations and carbon labels
Green Claims Evidence Pack
Audit-ready evidence file supporting sustainability marketing and regulatory green claims compliance
When You Need an LCA or PCF
From customer audits to product redesign — here are the six most common reasons our clients commission a lifecycle study.
Respond to Customer Requests
Procurement teams at large retailers, OEMs, and public bodies are increasingly demanding product-level carbon data from their suppliers. An LCA or PCF gives you a credible, comparable response.
Substantiate Green Marketing Claims
The EU Green Claims Directive requires that environmental marketing statements are backed by evidence. Our LCA reports provide the substantiation needed to market with confidence and legal protection.
Drive Product Design Decisions
Comparison modelling lets your R&D team evaluate material substitutions, design changes, or manufacturing process shifts based on their actual carbon impact — not guesswork.
Qualify for Tender & Access Finance
Green procurement criteria and sustainability-linked finance increasingly require verified product carbon data. An ISO-compliant PCF is often a prerequisite to compete.
Publish an Environmental Product Declaration
An EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) is the internationally recognised standard for transparent product environmental performance. We manage the full process from LCA to verified EPD publication.
Identify Reduction Opportunities
The hotspot map and sensitivity analysis reveal exactly where in your product lifecycle to focus reduction efforts — so you can cut carbon where it matters most, not just where it's easiest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about life cycle assessment and product carbon footprints.
What is a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)?
A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a systematic method for evaluating the environmental impact of a product across its entire lifecycle — from raw material extraction through manufacturing, use, and end-of-life disposal. It is standardised under ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 and is the recognised basis for EPDs, green claims substantiation, and product carbon disclosures.
What is a Product Carbon Footprint (PCF)?
A Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) is the total greenhouse gas emissions attributed to a product across its lifecycle, expressed in kilograms of CO₂ equivalent (kgCO₂e) per functional unit. It is a focused subset of a full LCA, specifically measuring climate impact rather than all environmental categories. PCFs are commonly used for supplier declarations, procurement bids, and carbon labelling.
What is the difference between LCA and PCF?
An LCA covers multiple environmental impact categories — climate change, water use, land use, toxicity, and more. A PCF focuses exclusively on greenhouse gas emissions and is simpler and faster to produce. For supplier declarations and carbon labelling, a PCF is often sufficient. For EPD certification or full environmental claims, a complete LCA is required.
What does ISO 14040/14044 require for a compliant LCA?
ISO 14040/14044 requires that an LCA defines a clear goal and scope (including functional unit and system boundary), collects life cycle inventory (LCI) data across all relevant lifecycle stages, applies life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) methods, and includes interpretation with transparent, documented methodology. EcoReko LCA reports are structured to meet these requirements.
Why is sensitivity analysis important in an LCA?
Every LCA involves assumptions — about emission factors, transport distances, material origins, and allocation methods. Sensitivity analysis tests how much your final result would change if those assumptions were varied within plausible ranges. Without it, a single-point result can appear more certain than it is. Sensitivity analysis makes your carbon claims defensible under scrutiny from customers, regulators, and auditors.
Do SMEs need an LCA or Product Carbon Footprint?
SMEs are increasingly asked for product-level carbon data by customers, retailers, and public procurement bodies. The EU Green Claims Directive requires that environmental marketing claims are substantiated by recognised scientific evidence. An ISO-compliant LCA or PCF is the standard way to meet these requirements — and EcoReko's collaborative service is specifically designed to make this accessible and cost-efficient for smaller businesses.
Ready to Know Your Product's True Footprint?
Tell us about your product and we'll scope the right LCA or PCF study for your goals — complete with sensitivity analysis and the evidence you need to act with confidence.