PARENT SESSION
MA1 Goal and Scope Definition: Data Quality and Uncertainty in LCI.
9:00 AM to 12:30 PM, Monday, 07 May 2001
Session Chair: Rolf Bretz
Room 1

(0011) SETAC Workgroup Data Availability & Data Quality: Final Results.

De Beaufort, A.^{1, 2}, Bretz, R.¹, Van Hoof, G.¹, Baucher, F.¹, Tanner, T.¹, Huijbregts, M.¹, Norris, G.¹, ^{1 2}

ABSTRACT- Life cycle inventory (LCI) data availability and quality are still critical, limiting factors for successful life cycle assessment (LCA) work. Between 1998 and 2001, the workgroup compiled a set of guidance documents, to facilitate LCI data presentation and exchange and to improve data quality. Its members from Europe, USA, Asia, and Australia, representing academia, consultancy, government, and industry, formed five subgroups: "Driving forces for data exchange" reviewed the literature on drivers / impediments for free data flow, interviewed stakeholders, and organized workshops, resulting in an introduction to LCA novices and a guidance document on initiating and maintaining databases. "Standardized lists of interventions" developed a nomenclature of LCI parameters, a recommended list of exchanges, and guidelines for the handling of sum parameters (hierarchies, overlaps) and data gaps. "Interfaces to existing software and implementations" designed methods to test computerized data exchange and performed practical tests between LCA softwares. "Energy, transport, waste models" explained variability of databases for these modules and recommended criteria for the optimal goal-dependent choice and quality assessment of relevant background data in LCIs. "Data quality" defined a framework, to handle different uncertainty types and clarify/facilitate their assessment in common LCI practice. The subgroup reports will be published as a "Code of Life Cycle Inventory Practice", and directly address the practitioner to help improve the availability, comparability, and quality of LCI data. Practical implementations are ongoing, in the SPOLD data exchange software and in the data interfaces of various commercial LCA softwares. The findings are presented to the ISO/TC 207/SC 5/WG 2/TG and will contribute to the new SETAC/UNEP Life Cycle Initiative, encouraging further standardization and harmonization of LCI data exchange.

Key words: LCI, data exchange, data uncertainty, best practice