Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA)

The social life cycle assessment method (S-LCA), is a technique for assessing the social and socio-economic impact of a product and its potential positive or negative effects that it may have throughout its life cycle (from resource extraction to disposal / recycling). S-LCA can also be used in combination with E-LCA (Environmental LCA) (Guidelines for Social Life Cycle Assessment of Products, 2009).

Benefits of using the S-LCA method (Guidelines for Social Life Cycle Assessment of Products, 2009):

• Improving the decision-making process taking into account social and socio-economic aspects
• Improving the dialogue between stakeholders on social and socio-economic issues
• Improving the performance of companies
• Improving the well-being of stakeholders

Within this method, the social and socio-economic impact is quantified for the following categories of stakeholders (Guidelines for Social Life Cycle Assessment of Products, 2009):

1. Employees
2. The local community
3. Society
4. Consumers
5. Key actors in organizations

Where does S-LCA apply?

ISO 14044: 2006 – Environmental management – LCA