LIFE-CYCLE STUDIES AND ECOLABELLING OF BUILDING-MATERIALS

Ecolabelling provides consumers with information about the environment al performance of products. The criteria for awarding an ecolabel are derived following a study of the environmental impacts associated with the whole life cycle of a particular product. Until recently, most li fe cycle studies of products were carried out with the aim of improvin g the efficiency of manufacturing processes. The application of these life cycle study methods to ecolabelling is complex and many issues ne ed to be taken into account. In particular, when building products are considered, raw materials extraction, building design, construction p ractice, building use, and demolition will often have more significant environmental impacts than the manufacturing process itself.