Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) determines the impact upon the environment of a product (or service) throughout its entire existence.

LCA follows the inputs for a product or service back to source through to production, distribution, use, and disposal.

You may hear LCA referred to as "Cradle to Grave" or "Womb to Tomb" analysis.

At each stage, the consumption of raw materials, energy consumed, emissions, discharges, and wastes to land, air, and water are considered.

The analysis is divided into a series of systematic steps, which together demonstrate the overall (holistic) position of the product.

This position compares the product against other similar products and acts as a starting point to reduce the overall impact of the product.