A Framework to Guide Selection of Chemical Alternatives (2014) / Chapter Skim
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10 Life Cycle, Performance, and EconomicConsiderations
10 Life Cycle, Performance, and EconomicConsiderations
Pages 135-148
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From page 135... ...
If the Life Cycle Thinking identifies a significant evaluated in earlier analyses. Thus, additional steps difference in these areas when the life cycle of the to consider whether a life cycle analysis44 is required, original chemical is compared to that of the life cycle of an alternative, then a Life Cycle Inventory or and to provide guidance on selection of an "screening LCA" or Life Cycle Impact Assessment appropriate life cycle approach when needed, are should be performed to provide quantitative included in the committee's framework.
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From page 136... ...
136 A Framework to Guide Selection of Chemical Alternatives FIGURE 10-1 Excerpt of committee's framework highlighting the performance and life cycle assessments.
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From page 137... ...
Life cycle assessments come into play in three different ways: as a separate, specific element or module of an assessment, such as in Social Impacts BizNGO; as a requirement folded into many Several frameworks (IC2, REACH, Lowell, the elements of the assessment, such as in the CA SCP German Guide, UCLA MCDA, and UNEP support assessment plan; or as a guiding principle or value of an option to consider social impacts beyond those an overall analysis, such as in the German Guide. In already addressed in other steps.
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From page 138... ...
The main themes across these different assessment approaches are corporate direct, business-relevant impact; values about social responsibility, social justice as it relates to areas such as labor practices and human market analysis, including potential changes to rights, and social impacts that affect communities and availability of the alternative, relevant regulations states with regard to management of chemicals that might be affected, and competition from during their manufacture, use, or disposal. other vendors; costs to other entities, such as public agencies, stakeholders, and communities; and Performance Assessment cost-benefit analyses.
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From page 139... ...
Substep 1: At the unit process stage, identify all material and energy inputs to the unit process and all LIFE CYCLE CONSIDERATIONS IN THE outputs (products, co-products, and by-products) COMMITTEE'S FRAMEWORK and releases from the unit process.
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From page 140... ...
These mass flows are the basis Examination of the synthetic history can quickly reveal unit for subsequent life cycle assessments. processes that present impacts to human health or the After constructing the product system map, the environment (for example, building block chemicals or by next step is to compare the map of the chemical of products of a production unit process)
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From page 141... ...
Figure 10-3, provides a useful conceptual costs, equipment costs, and direct costs -- and net structure for identifying the stages of a product life present value calculations to evaluate the economic cycle. Stages are composed of the "unit processes" impact of each alternative.
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From page 142... ...
Additionally, component unit processes facilitates identification of screening LCAs often do not include peer review or the inputs and outputs of the product system. When fully meet the other requirements of ISO 14040 and the data from the mass flows are summed across all ISO 14044 (ISO 2006a,b)
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From page 143... ...
Water use Water shortage potential Converts LCI data to a ratio of quantity of water used vs. quantity of resource left SOURCE: Adapted from EPA 2006 Cycle Impact Analyses, which are discussed in the This is best illustrated by considering the impact next section.
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From page 144... ...
If screening LCAs or advantage over another product system for every LCT can provide sufficient insight to inform trade-off impact indicator. This reality strongly argues for the resolution as part of the substitution decision, it may entity authorizing the alternatives assessment and not be necessary to conduct system-specific, ISO- affiliated stakeholders to identify, prioritize, and compliant Life Cycle Impact Analyses.
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From page 145... ...
For example, if generic databases are Clearly, performing an LCIA adds significant used as sources for the global warming potential effort, time, and cost to an alternatives assessment. associated with producing certain alternatives, and Therefore, the decision to proceed with such an those data show an apparent difference, care should assessment should be based on a clear need.
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From page 146... ...
For example, when considering a regulators, as with CA SCP or REACH legislation, chemical substitution for a flame retardant used in then obviously this option must be exercised. polymeric electronics housings, the final product However, there may be times when the user must meet flame retardant requirements for each conducting the alternatives assessment is different jurisdiction in which the product is sold.
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From page 147... ...
, and calculates the equivalent amount of tests to ensure that its products meet user needs, capital needed to produce that same cash flow at an industry standards, and regulatory requirements. assumed internal rate of return (IRR)
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From page 148... ...
However, it is likely that the substitution substitution. decision will eventually affect a commercial entity, which will conduct economic analyses to ensure that
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