ILCD Handbook: Framework and requirements for LCIA models and ...

ILCD Handbook: Framework and requirements for LCIA models and indicators First edition
Toxicity
Bioaccumulation/magnification
Effects on biodiversity
Table 4-7 presents the general and specific criteria for eco-toxicity, identifying the
minimum score to be met (threshold value) and the most relevant criteria for the impact
category (importance).
Table 4-7 General and specific criteria for eco-toxicity with threshold value and importance.
ECOTOXICITY Check the following:
Introduction
Completeness of
scope
Environmental
relevance
Overall evaluation
• Timeframe, discounting, etc.
• Marginal (M) or Average (A) defined, if not described
(ND)
Total number of substances covered by the provided
characterisation factors
• The impact indicator covers the majority of impact
mechanisms and relevant elementary flows for the AoP
Human Health
• The impact indicator covers the majority of impact
mechanisms and relevant elementary flows for the AoP
Natural Environment?
• The impact indicator covers the majority of impact
mechanisms and relevant elementary flows for the AoP
Natural Resources
• The midpoint indicator is chosen in a way that all LCI
are appropriately aggregated as early as possible in the
cause effect chain
• The characterisation model is adaptable to spatial and
temporal explicit evaluation
• Global geographical validity preferable, separate
validity for Europe beneficial
• The method is compatible with, or developed
specifically for, the comparative assessment scope of
LCA (e.g. factors do not include security factors /
precautionary principle)
• When empirical data is used, double counting is
avoided
The following critical parts of the environmental
mechanism describing the cause-effect chain are
included with acceptable quality:
• Advection out of a region or of a continent is not
considered a final loss.
• Marine environment and coastal zone are differentiated
• Influential fate processes are considered (classic -
volatilization, deposition/sedimentation, intermittent rain)
• The effect factors are derived from the average toxicity
over all species instead of the most sensitive species
• Direct effects on species diversity of toxicants are
considered
Threshold
(Minimum
score)
B H
B H
C H
C H
C H
Importance
(H-N)
4 Requirements for specific impact categories 70