Life-cycle analysis approaches and implications for industry competitiveness
The European Commission, DG III, has published a call for tender for the completion of a study on the adoption by industry of a life-cycle analysis approach and its implications for industry competitiveness and trade. The study should take into consideration the following: - The emphasis given, in the fifth Community action programme in the field of the environment, and in the Commission Communication on industrial competitiveness and protection of the environment, to the need to develop and encourage industry to adopt a pro-active approach towards the environment; - The consideration that the adoption of a life-cycle assessment/life-cycle management (LCA/LCM) approach by industry can be a practical business tool to increase environmental awareness and establish prevention-oriented strategies by firms; - That several governments are adopting policies based on the life-cycle approach to achieve environmental objectives by examining the consequences of a policy measure along the life cycle and across environmental media. The study is intended to: - Assess, on the basis of six case studies, how firms have been using LCA/LCM approaches and how these approaches have contributed to the development of their environmental strategies, including changes in products and processes; - Compare the solutions adopted by different industrial firms in anticipating, participating or reacting to product policy developments that reflect a life-cycle approach and how these policies may influence management organization, product development, changes in processes and marketing strategies as well as their effect on industry competitiveness and trade; - Develop scenarios for the promotion of LCA/LCM approaches, examining advantages and disadvantages of each respective scenario, and the ways in which these could contribute to overall competitiveness of industry taking into account their impact on different size/types of enterprises and their trade implications. Requests for tender documentation (terms of reference and workplan) should be sent to: European Commission Directorate General III Mr. Jacques Soenens Unit III/B-5 Impact of Environmental Factors on Industrial Activity 200 rue de la Loi B-1049 Brussels Tel. +32-2-2951267; Fax +32-2-2953877