Life cycle impact assessment
Life cycle impact assessment is the life cycle assessment phase that translates inventory flows into indicators for selected environmental impact categories. Applying Life cycle impact assessment requires a stated material pathway, lifecycle stage, retained function, waste status, and end-of-life route.
In simple terms
In practical use, Life cycle impact assessment is the life cycle assessment phase that translates inventory flows into indicators for selected environmental impact categories. For Life cycle impact assessment, the selected inputs, ordered steps, decision rule, assumptions, and limitations form part of the result within a declared material pathway, lifecycle stage, retained function, waste status, and end-of-life route. Life cycle impact assessment connects with Life cycle assessment and Waste hierarchy; each can affect its application without sharing its definition. The candidate link between Life cycle impact assessment and Material passport remains a separate expansion question supported here by European Union.
Why it matters
Life cycle impact assessment matters because decisions about it determine which lifecycle route is preferred, how much function or material value is retained, and where responsibility ends. A defensible use of Life cycle impact assessment therefore exposes its boundary, method, evidence, responsible actor, and uncertainty before a conclusion is accepted. That discipline keeps Life cycle assessment and Waste hierarchy from being treated as proof of Life cycle impact assessment when their criteria, scope, or results differ.
Example
A product and materials team evaluates Life cycle impact assessment for a defined decision and records the relevant material pathway, lifecycle stage, retained function, waste status, and end-of-life route. For Life cycle impact assessment, the team uses cited material from European Union to structure the analysis and follow its ordered steps, documenting the period, data, assumptions, and comparison with Life cycle assessment. It treats Waste hierarchy and Material passport as separate questions rather than proxies for Life cycle impact assessment.
How it differs
Life cycle assessment
Life cycle impact assessment is a method; Life cycle assessment has a different function. Evidence for Life cycle assessment does not establish Life cycle impact assessment unless both sets of applicable criteria are met.