Hi. I'm trying to understand what is a data set compliant with ISO 14044.
Is the reference guide referring to item 4.2.3.6 "Data quality requirements"?
4.2.3.6.1 Data quality requirements shall be specified to enable the goal and scope of the LCA to be met.
4.2.3.6.2 The data quality requirements should address the following:
a) time-related coverage: age of data and the minimum length of time over which data should be collected;
b) geographical coverage: geographical area from which data for unit processes should be collected to satisfy the goal of the study;
c) technology coverage: specific technology or technology mix;
d) precision: measure of the variability of the data values for each data expressed (e.g. variance);
e) completeness: percentage of flow that is measured or estimated;
f) representativeness: qualitative assessment of the degree to which the data set reflects the true population of interest (i.e. geographical coverage, time period and technology coverage);
g) consistency: qualitative assessment of whether the study methodology is applied uniformly to the various components of the analysis;
h) reproducibility: qualitative assessment of the extent to which information about the methodology and data values would allow an independent practitioner to reproduce the results reported in the study;
i) sources of the data;
j) uncertainty of the information (e.g. data, models and assumptions).
Where a study is intended to be used in comparative assertions intended to be disclosed to the public, the data quality requirements stated in a) to j) above shall be addressed.
4.2.3.6.3 The treatment of missing data shall be documented. For each unit process and for each reporting location where missing data are identified, the treatment of the missing data and data gaps should result In
— a "non-zero" data value that is explained,
— a "zero" data value if explained, or
— a calculated value based on the reported values from unit processes employing similar technology.
Data quality should be characterized by both quantitative and qualitative aspects as well as by the methods used to collect and integrate those data.
Data from specific sites or representative averages should be used for those unit processes that contribute the majority of the mass and energy flows in the systems being studied, as determined in the sensitivity analysis performed in 4.3.3.4. Where possible, data from specific sites should also be used for unit processes that are considered to have environmentally relevant inputs and outputs.
Paula Melton
Editorial DirectorBuildingGreen, Inc.
LEEDuser Moderator
183 thumbs up
October 11, 2016 - 3:02 pm
Yes. Unless you are an experienced LCA practitioner, you are not going to be out finding or building a custom dataset. Most of the mainstream software programs will offer ISO-compliant datasets. If you're unsure, ask the creator of the software.
Dionisio Franca
DirectorWoonerf Inc.
30 thumbs up
October 11, 2016 - 9:15 pm
Hi Paula,
Thank you for confirming this.
I'm looking for a LCA software to use in our projects in Japan. We have two issues with the only architectural LCA software available in Japan, the database is not ISO 14044 compliant (I don't know what part of it is not compliant), and the software does not have all outputs required by LEED.
There is an available software with ISO 14044 compliant Japanese database that is not an architectural software and I'm afraid we would have to compile all materials that go into all products that are used in order to erect a building.
I wonder if it is acceptable to use a architectural software with a ISO compliant database for another country for this credit. Any opinions on that?
Paula Melton
Editorial DirectorBuildingGreen, Inc.
LEEDuser Moderator
183 thumbs up
October 12, 2016 - 10:57 am
LCA software developers who watch this page: Any thoughts on how to get an appropriate dataset for Japan? Thanks!
Panu Pasanen
CEOBionova / One Click LCA
25 thumbs up
October 12, 2016 - 2:51 pm
Some LCA software have methodology in place to allow for regionalisation of datasets to e.g. reflect conditions where no native datasets exist, such as Japan as well as other economies which lack data meeting LEED (or BREEAM) LCA data requirements. One Click LCA would be happy to oblige. The methodology we use is third party verified.
Jennifer O'Connor
PresidentAthena Sustainable Materials Institute
6 thumbs up
October 12, 2016 - 3:14 pm
Looks like Dionisio has done plenty of homework on LCA in Japan and probably knows more than we do. Assuming that it's not an option in this case to stay within the Japanese CASBEE rating program and its LCA resources (Japan has long-standing whole-building LCA activity, under the umbrella of a public-private partnership, I believe), then Dionisio has correctly identified two imperfect choices: either start from scratch with software/data non-specific to buildings (which takes too much time and expertise and may have data gaps), or use a buildings tool with data not tailored for Japan (which may create errors in the results). Perhaps the JaGBC would have an opinion on this.