What is Social Life Cycle Assessment?

A social and socio-economic Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) is a social impact (and potential impact) assessment technique that aims to assess the social and socio-economic aspects of products and their potential positive and negative impacts along their life cycle encompassing extraction and processing of raw materials; manufacturing; distribution; use; re-use; maintenance; recycling; and final disposal. (Source: Guidelines for Social Life Cycle Assessment of Products)

How does it differ from CSR (CorpoWhat does LCA do?

SLCA investigates the social and socio-economic performance of a product, CSR refers to the responsibility a company assumes with the purpose of contributing to sustainable development.

When is LCA born?

The guidelines on SLCA were published in 2009 as result of a project by the UNEP/SETAC Life Cycle Initiative The guidelines are free and available at the following link:

http://www.cdo.ugent.be/publicaties/280.guidelines-sLCA.pdf