Sukehiro Gotoh

Director, Social and Environmental Systems Division National Instiute for Environmental Studies
(National Institute for Environmental Studies, Onogawa 16-2, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305 Japan)

Abstract

LCA (life-cycle assessment) and PA (product assessment) in use extensively in Japan are compared, and discussed in terms of their utility and efficiency as tools for analyzing and evaluating environmental load associated with the life-cycle of products. Methodological as well as practical constraints which have been experienced in industrial practices are also discussed. Issues that have to be resolved for future promotion of LCA and/or PA have been identified.

Key words: life-cycle assessment (LCA), product assessment (PA), life-cycle, environmental load, methodology