Does my LCA or carbon footprint study need a critical review, and who can do it?

Question

Senseible · Accepted Answer

A critical review is mandatory under ISO 14044 only when the study supports a comparative assertion disclosed to the public, such as "our product has a lower footprint than theirs". That review must be done by a panel of interested parties. For internal studies or non-comparative claims it is optional, but buyers often expect one. Required: an LCA used for a comparative assertion that is shared publicly. ISO 14044 calls for a panel review. Optional: an internal study, a footprint sent to one buyer, or a public footprint that makes no comparison. Contract or programme rules: a buyer, an EPD programme or a label may require a review or verification even when ISO does not. Internal or external expert review: one reviewer independent of the study, for non-comparative studies. They must know ISO 14040 and 14044 and the technology studied. Panel review: a chair, who is an external independent expert, plus at least two other reviewers, who may include interested parties. This is required for public comparative assertions. ISO/TS 14071 sets out the review process and the competence reviewers need. A critical review checks that the method follows the ISO standard and that the interpretation is supported. Verification of a carbon footprint of a product, for example against ISO 14067 by a verification body under ISO 14064-3 rules, checks the data and the claimed figure. EPDs need verification under ISO 14025. A buyer asking for a verified footprint usually means verification. Appoint the reviewer at the start, so goal and scope are agreed before data collection. Keep a data trail for every input, with source documents for energy and materials. Document allocation choices, cut-offs and assumptions in one place. Answer reviewer comments in writing and keep the log as part of the report.