The use of LCA studies and LCA outcomes in the decision-making processes of enterprises: Discussion and conclusions on the basis of case studies

The paper assesses different ways of utilising life-cycle assessment (LCA) for life-cycle management (LCM) of products. Enterprises face different kinds of barriers for the use of LCA. These are related to communication, the lack of methods and information, or access to tools and information. There are different ways available for LCA data acquisition and the use of LCA results in decision-making. These include comprehensive research projects as well as much easier processes where LCA information is collected in accordance with existing product category rules and with the help of tailored tools. The paper studies, discusses and draws conclusions about the effective use of LCA for LCM in different kinds of enterprises and in different phases of supply chains with the help of case study results and literature. The position and the role in the supply chain and the size of the enterprise significantly affect the type of LCA approach needed.