Examples
Worked examples
- Is an instance
A facility compares two centrifuge models on a 10-year LCA basis and chooses the higher-priced unit with lower embodied carbon and longer warranty.
- Is an instance
An institutional sustainability office maintains an LCA-based decision tool for equipment over 25,000 GBP.
Counter-examples
Looks similar, but isn't
- Not an instance
A like-for-like price comparison ignoring environmental indicators is not LCA-informed.
- Not an instance
A vendor's marketing leaflet claiming green credentials without disclosed life-cycle indicators is not LCA.
Editorial commentary
Lab equipment LCA recognises that embodied carbon (manufacturing impact) is often comparable to or larger than in-use energy emissions for many instruments, especially short-lived ones. It draws on the ISO 14040 / 14044 methodology, with functional units expressed per analysis run or per year of service. Findings inform procurement choices (refurbished vs new, extended service contracts, modular upgrades vs replacement) and influence supplier disclosure expectations. The ACT label (My Green Lab) provides product-level disclosure that incorporates LCA-style indicators.
References
- ISO 14040 and 14044 LCA standards; My Green Lab ACT product database.
Also known as
Equipment LCA · Lab instrument lifecycle assessment
Machine-readable encodings
Use in your systems
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