General requirements for LCA software tools

Abstract

In recent years Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) software tools have become increasingly important. Today a large number of LCA programs are available. The large diversity of LCA software tools on offer makes it necessary to first pinpoint some general requirements that determine the quality of an LCA software tool and secondly to describe these requirements qualitatively. The authors last year assessed four different software tools by using each of these programs to model waste management scenarios . This modelling proc- ess revealed many differences in the quality of the LCA software tools. These differences are unrelated to the kind of modelled scenario and therefore are relevant for all kinds of LCAs (e.g. product LCA). Using these experiences and by conducting additional research in the literature, we have deduced some general require- ments considered essential for good quality LCA software tools. These will be presented in this paper.