The ISO 14040 and 14044 standards provide an important framework for LCA. This framework, however, leaves the individual experts, practitioners and data developers, with a range of important choices that can be individually interpreted, leading towards differences in consistency, reliability and comparability of the results of the assessment. Equally, the methodological assumptions behind the life cycle data can differ widely, so that data from different sources can be not interoperable.

The International Life Cycle Data System

The International Reference Life Cycle Data System (ILCD) is an initiative developed by JRC and DG ENV since 2005, with the aim to provide guidance and standards for greater consistency and quality assurance in applying LCA. ILCD publications have been established through a series of extensive public and stakeholder consultations.

The ILCD Handbook is a major contribution to the ILCD, including a set of publications in line with international standards on LCA (ISO 14040/44).