Automatically generated Universally Unique Identifier of this data set. Together with the "Data set version", the UUID uniquely identifies each data set.
Name of the data set. Composed as follows "LCIA methodology short name; Impact category/ies; midpoint/endpoint; Impact indicator; Source short name". Not applicable components are left out. Examples: "Impacts2007+; Climate change; midpoint; Global Warming Potential; IPCC 2001"; "ABC 2006; Acidification; endpoint; Species diversity loss; John Doe 2006"; "My-indicator2009; combined; endpoint; Ecopoints; various"
URL or file name of a file listing all classes of this classification system. [Notes: the referenced file has to be in form of the "ILCDClassification.xml" format. If a classification file is specified, the "class" entry should correspond to the classes defined in the classification file.]
If more than one class is specified in a hierachical classification system, the hierarchy level (1,2,...) could be specified with this attribute of class.
Unique identifier for the class. [Notes: If such identifiers are also defined in the referenced category file, they should be identical. Identifiers can be UUID's, but also other forms are allowed.]
General information about the data set, including e.g. general (internal, not reviewed) quality statements as well as information sources used. (Note: Please also check the more specific fields e.g. on "Intended application", "Advice on data set use" and the fields in the "Modelling and validation" section to avoid overlapping entries.)
"Source data set(s)" of external documents / files with further documentative information on the data set including on underlying data sources (e.g. time, geographical coverage, impact models, characterisation factors, substance property databases employed, etc.). (Note: can indirectly reference to digital file.)
3-17-70-213
Other content
other
o
[0,1]
May contain arbitrary content.
0
Quantitative reference
quantitativeReference
o
[0,1]
This section allows to refer to the LCIA method(ology)'s quantitative reference, which is always the unit, in which the characterisation factors of the impact indicator are measured, e.g. "kg CO2-Equivalents".
Reference year when the emission is assumed to take place, i.e. the start year of the time period for which the impact is modelled. For time-independent models "time independent" should be stated.
Start year of the time period for which the data set is valid (until year of "Data set valid until:"). For data sets that combine data from different years, the most representative year is given regarding the overall environmental impact. In that case, the reference year is derived by expert judgement.
End year of the time period for which the data set is still valid / sufficiently representative. This date also determines when a data set revision / remodelling is required or recommended due to expected relevant changes in environmentally or technically relevant inventory values, including in the background system.
Description of the valid time span of the data set including information on limited usability within sub-time spans (e.g. summer/winter).
1-1-6-20
Other content
other
o
[0,1]
May contain arbitrary content.
0
Geographical representativeness
geography
m
[1,1]
3-17-76
Intervention location
interventionLocation
r
[0,1]
Specific, country, or region of the elementary flows' / exchanges' occurence for which the LCIA method(ology) is valid / modelled. [Note: Entry can be of type "two-letter ISO 3166 country code" for countries, "seven-letter regional codes" for regions or continents, or "market areas and market organisations", as predefined for the ILCD. Also a name for e.g. a specific plant etc. can be given here (e.g. "FR, Lyon, XY Company, Z Site"; user defined). ]
Geographical latitude and longitude reference of "Location" / "Sub-location". For area-type locations (e.g. countries, continents) the field is empty.
1-1-8-23
Intervention sub-location(s)
interventionSubLocation
o
[0,n]
Geographical sub-unit(s) of "Intervention location(s)" that further specify the specifically modelled sub-locations. Such sub-locations can be e.g. sites of a company, specific catchments modleled, countries of a continent, or locations in a country. Information on limited representativeness should be provided if applicable.
Geographical latitude and longitude reference of "Location" / "Sub-location". For area-type locations (e.g. countries, continents) the field is empty.
1-1-8-23
Impact location
impactLocation
r
[0,1]
Location or region where the impact is modelled to take place. [Note: Entry can be of type "two-letter ISO 3166 country code" for countries, "seven-letter regional codes" for regions or continents, or "market areas and market organisations", as predefined for the ILCD. Also a name for e.g. a specific catchment etc. can be given here, user defined).]
Further explanation on additional aspects of the location, both regarding the intervention and the impact: whether certain areas are exempted from the location, whether data is only valid for certain sub-locations within the location indicated, or whether impact indicator values for certain elementary flows are extrapolated from another geographical area than indicated. Information on the use of generic intervention and/or impact locations, and other restrictions.
3-17-76-215
Other content
other
o
[0,1]
May contain arbitrary content.
0
Impact model
impactModel
o
[0,1]
Provides information about the general representativiness of the data set and about its composition of single LCIA-methods.
Description of the model used for calculating the LCIA impact indicator values, including underlying substance property data sources, background concentrations, etc. If an LCIA methodology comprises several LCIA methods, these are explicitly included in the description. Professional nomenclature is used for the description. Note that eventually included Normalisation and Weighting factors are described in the dedicated separate fields.
Description of the environmental or other mechanisms included in the explicitly considered part of the impact chain. Can relate to (ilustrative): For emissions e.g.: transport, conversion / degradation, exposure, effect(s), damage(s) on humans and the natural environment. For material and energy resources: scarcity or other impact concept. For land use: soil, area, biocoenosis related meachanisms, effect(s), damage(s).
Methodological advice for the use and application of this data set, such as limits in applicability or representativeness as well as recommendations to use it together with others from the same LCIA methodology to ensure consistency.
Short description of possible data set specific deviations from "LCIA method principle(s)". Refers especially to explanations on the combination of LCIA methods with different principles in a single LCIA methodology.
"Source data set(s)" of the data source(s) used for the data set e.g. paper, questionnaire, monography etc. The main data sources e.g. for underlying substance properties are named, too.
Estimate of the completeness of coverage of impact(s), as identified in the fields "Impact category/ies" or - only for LCIA methodologies with Damage indicator or Combined single-point indicators - "Area(s) of Protection". Expressed by the quantitative extent of coverage of the scientifically recognized, impact. Note that this information is typically highly uncertain.
Number of chemical substances/substance groups, chemical elements, or types covered, without considering variants by environmental emission or source compartment, geographical location, time, or other.
3-19-85-11
Validation
validation
o
[0,1]
Review information on LCIA method.
3-19-88
Type of review
review
m
[1,n]
Type of review that has been performed regarding independency and type of review process.
Scope of review regarding which aspects and components of the data set was reviewed or verified. In case of aggregated e.g. LCI results also and on which level of detail (e.g. LCI results only, included unit processes, ...) the review / verification was performed.
Summary of the review. All the following items should be explicitly addressed: completeness and appropriateness of the model, geographical and temporal coverage and differentiation, correctness and precision of substance data or other underlying data; appropriateness and coherence of application of normalisation and/or weighting schemes, if included; correctness, appropriateness, comprehensibility, and completeness of the data set documentation; stakeholder aceptance of LCIA method. Optional: Comment of the reviewer on characterisation factors for single elementary flows or groups of elementary flows. Relevant restrictions to the review due to lack of transparency or documentation should be named. An overall quality statement may be included here.
"Contact data set" of reviewer. The full name of reviewer(s) and institution(s) as well as a contact address and/or email should be provided in that contact data set.
Further information from the review process, especially comments received from third parties once the data set has been published or additional reviewer comments from an additional external review.
Statements on compliance of several data set aspects with compliance requirements as defined by the referenced compliance system (e.g. an EPD scheme, handbook of a national or international data network such as the ILCD, etc.).
Official approval whether or not and in how far the data set meets all the requirements of the "Compliance system" refered to. This approval should be issued/confirmed by the owner of that compliance system, who is identified via the respective "Contact data set".
"Contact data set" of the commissioner / financing party of the data collection / compilation and of the data set modelling. For groups of commissioners, each single organisation should be named. For data set updates and for direct use of data from formerly commissioned studies, also the original commissioner should be named.
Project within which the data set was modelled in its present version. [Note: If the project was published e.g. as a report, this can be referenced in the "Publication of data set in:" field in the "Publication and ownership" sub-section.
Documentation of the intended application(s) of data collection and data set modelling. This indicates / includes information on the level of detail, the specifidity, and the quality ambition in the effort.
1-5-24-98
Other content
other
o
[0,1]
May contain arbitrary content.
0
Data generator
dataGenerator
m
[1,1]
Expert(s), that compiled and modelled the data set as well as internal administrative information linked to the data generation activity.
"Contact data set" of the person(s), working group(s), organisation(s) or database network, that generated the data set, i.e. being responsible for its correctness regarding methods, inventory, and documentation.
3-21-94-15
Other content
other
o
[0,1]
May contain arbitrary content.
0
Data entry by
dataEntryBy
r
[1,1]
Staff or entity, that documented the generated data set, entering the information into the database; plus administrative information linked to the data entry activity.
"Source data set" of the used version of the ILCD format. If additional data format fields have been integrated into the data set file, using the "namespace" option, the used format namespace(s) are to be given. This is the case if the data sets carries additional information as specified by other, particular LCA formats, e.g. of other database networks or LCA softwares.
"Source data set" of the database or data set publication from which this data set has been obtained by conversion. This can cover e.g. conversion to a different format, applying a different nomenclature, mapping of flow names, conversion of units, etc. This may however not have changed or re-modeled the characterisation factors. This entry is required for converted data sets stemming originally from other LCA databases (e.g. when re-publishing LCIA characterisation factors from the database of the original impact method developer). [Note: Identically re-published data sets are identied in the field "Unchanged re-publication of:" in the section "Publication and Ownership".]
"Contact data set(s)" of the governmental body/ies that has/ve officially recommended this LCIA method data set and its impact factors for use within the documented scope. Eventually deviating (downgraded) recommendations for individual exchanges are documented in the "Inputs and Outputs" section of the data set.
Level of recommendation given to this data set by the recommending governmental body. Note that the recommendation level of individual elementary flows can be different (lower) from the general level; this is documented as "Deviating recommendation" in the section "Characterisation factors" directly for each affected elementary flow.
Specific meaning of the declared recommendation level of this LCIA method / methodology and the characterisation factors, as defined in the guidance document referenced in in the field "Compliance system"
3-21-96-253
Other content
other
o
[0,1]
May contain arbitrary content.
0
Publication and ownership
publicationAndOwnership
m
[1,1]
Information related to publication and version management of the data set including copyright and access restrictions.
Version number of data set. First two digits refer to major updates, the second two digits to minor revisions and error corrections etc. The third three digits are intended for automatic and internal counting of versions during data set development. Together with the data set's UUID, the "Data set version" uniquely identifies each data set.
Last preceding data set, which was replaced by this version. Either a URI of that data set (i.e. an internet address) or its UUID plus version number is given (or both).
URI (i.e. an internet address) of the original of this data set. [Note: This equally globally unique identifier supports users and software tools to identify and retrieve the original version of a data set via the internet or to check for available updates. The URI must not represent an existing WWW address, but it should be unique and point to the data access point, e.g. by combining the data owner's www path with the data set's UUID, e.g. http://www.mycompany.com/lca/processes/50f12420-8855-12db-b606-0900210c9a66.]
"Source data set" of the publication, in which this data set was published for the first time. [Note: This refers to exactly this data set as it is, without any format conversion, adjustments, flow name mapping, etc. In case this data set was modified/converted, the original source is documented in "Converted original data set from:" in section "Data entry by".]
Indicates whether or not a copyright on the data set exists. Decided upon by the "Owner of data set". [Note: See also field "Access and use restrictions".]
Access restrictions / use conditions for this data set as free text or referring to e.g. license conditions. In case of no restrictions "None" is entered.
1-5-30-118
Other content
other
o
[0,1]
May contain arbitrary content.
0
Other content
other
o
[0,1]
May contain arbitrary content.
0
Characterisation factors
characterisationFactors
o
[0,1]
Flow / Exchanges list with corresponding impact factors according to the respective LCIA method.
Reference to "UUID of flow" of "Flow data set" to link the particular impact factor in the "LCIA data set" to the respective "Flow data set". Please be aware, that for location-specific LCIA methods, there may be multiple references to the same Flow data set.
Location where exchange of elementary flow occurs. Used only for those LCIA methods, that make use of such information. This information refers to the entry within the same field in the "Process data set".
Mean value of the impact characterisation factor for the exchange identified by the fields "Reference to flow data set", "Exchange direction" and "Location of direction". It is recommended to report only significant digits of the amount. ! If for an elementary flow its relevant contribution to this LCIA theme is known by state-of-the-art scientific knowledge, but no impact factor is provided in the LCIA method, the flow should nevertheless be referrenced and the mean value to be entered is "0"!
The resulting overall uncertainty of the calculated variable value considering uncertainty of measurements, modelling, appropriateness etc. [Notes: For log-normal distribution the square of the geometric standard deviation (SDg^2) is stated. Mean value times SDg^2 equals the 97.5% value (= Maximum value), Mean value divided by SDg^2 equals the 2.5% value (= Minimum value). For normal distribution the doubled standard deviation value (2*SD) is entered. Mean value plus 2*SD equals 97.5% value (= Maximum value), Mean value minus 2*SD equals 2.5% value (= Minimum value). This data field remains empty when uniform or triangular uncertainty distribution is applied.]
Identifies the way by which the individual Input / Output amount was derived (e.g. measured, estimated etc.), respectively the status and relevancy of missing data.
Deviating (downgraded) recommendation level for this exchange, in reference to the recommendation level of the LCIA method data set as a whole (see field "Official recommendation of data set by governmental body:").
3-23-100-268
Reference to data source(s)
referencesToDataSource
o
[0,1]
Reference to "UUID of source"(s) in the "Source data set" of data source(s) used for modelling the value of this single LCIA factor e.g. a specific paper, questionnaire, monography etc. If, as typical, more than one data source was used, more than one source can be referenced.
Reference to "UUID of source"(s) in the "Source data set" of data source(s) used for modelling the value of this single LCIA factor e.g. a specific paper, questionnaire, monography etc. If, as typical, more than one data source was used, more than one source can be referenced.
General information about the data set, including e.g. general (internal, not reviewed) quality statements as well as information sources used. (Note: Please also check the more specific fields e.g. on "Intended application", "Advice on data set use" and the fields in the "Modelling and validation" section to avoid overlapping entries.)