T10 AM LCA and Business Benefits
Tuesday, 15 November 2005: 8:00 AM - 11:40 AM in 341-342

(NOR-1117-849746) Life Cycle-Based Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Guidance, with Application in Mexico.

Norris, G¹, Suppen, N², Zerquera, G², ¹ Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA² LCA Mexico, Naucalpan, Est. de Mexico, Mexico

ABSTRACT- Government purchasers in an increasing number of countries are called upon to apply criteria that identify environmentally preferable products (EPP). While initial guidelines were focused on one or a few environmental attributes, and one or a few processes within the life cycle, there is increasing understanding of the importance of a life cycle scope. But how can life cycle assessment information practically and affordably be used in the evaluation of literally thousands of different products? This paper will summarize an LCA-based method for EPP criteria development that is being applied in a project for the Mexican environmental ministry SEMARNAT. We will present the approach, the project process, and the results from the first round of LCA studies and guidance development.

Key words: Environmentally Preferable Purchasing, Streamlined LCA, Government purchasing, Green Purchasing