In light of some standard updates (i.e. EN & RICS), we’ve made significant updates to the eTool calculation engine to be enable to switching between different standards in our 2024 June (version 5.31.0) software release.
The original calculation standard is now renamed as ‘Legacy’.
We’ve added 3 other new calculation standards. You can now choose from the following calculation standards for your LCA study:
- Legacy – original calculation standard
- RICS WLCA 2E (2023) – NEW!
- EN15978 (EN15804 + A1) – NEW!
- EN15978 (EN15804 + A2) – NEW!
Note: Selecting one of the above calculation standards does NOT guarantee that your study will be aligned with that standard – it simply means that the module impact calculations are in accordance with the standard. Peer review is recommended to verify compliance with the selected standard, therefore we encourage eTool subscribers to take advantage of our Certification services.
Users should only use the ‘Legacy’ option if you need to compare your new study with a previous LCA that was conducted using the old calculation standard. We recommend that all new LCAs should be using one of the newer calculation standards.
Also note that the calculation standard of all existing projects will not be affected by this update. However, if your project has not been certified, you may switch the project to a different Calculation Standard if you like.
For more information about what’s different in the other standards, please refer to the following support posts:
Jump to the following sections in this post:
- How to Change The Calculation Standard in eTool
- Key Differences Between the Calculation Standards
- Related Posts
How to Change The Calculation Standard in eTool
Note that the ‘Legacy’ Calculation Standard has now been archived. New projects will no longer have the option of specifying ‘Legacy’. Existing projects will still remain as ‘Legacy’, however once you update it to the newer the Calculation Standards, you won’t be able to revert it back to ‘Legacy’.
To change the calculation standard in eTool, you need to navigate to the Project level of your project and follow the animation below.
Key Differences Between the Calculation Standards
| Item | Legacy | RICS WLCA 2E (2023) | EN15978 (EN15804+A1) | EN15978 (EN15804+A2) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fugitive Emissions (refrigerant gases) | Fugitive refrigerant emissions reported under module B4 | Option to report under B1.2 | Option to report under B1 | Option to report under B1 |
|
Construction Waste Impacts |
A1A3 impacts of Construction Waste reported under A1A3; end-of-life impacts of Construction Waste reported under A5; transportation impacts of Construction Waste is reported under A4. |
All Construction Waste impacts reported under A5.3 | All Construction Waste impacts reported under A5 | All Construction Waste impacts reported under A5 |
| Transportation Impacts | All Transportation impacts reported under A4 | Transport of workers reported under A5.4 | Transport of Construction Waste reported under A5 | Transport of Construction Waste reported under A5 |
| Biogenic Carbon | No mandatory release at end of life | Aligned with EN15978 (EN15804+A2) | Same as Legacy | Mandatory end of life release of all biogenic carbon sequestered in modules: A1-A3, A4, A5, B2B3, and B4. |
|
Reportable Environmental Impact Indicators* |
7 reportable environmental impact categories plus an additional 17 reporting categories covering resource use, waste generation and output flows. |
Same as Legacy | Same as Legacy |
13 mandatory environmental impact categories reportable, plus 6 optional reporting categories related to human health and land use. For the full list, please refer to this post – Updated EPD Standard: EN 15804+A2 |
|
Reportable LC Modules |
A1A3: Product Stage A4: Transport of Equipment and Materials A5: Construction B1: Use of Products B2: Maintenance B3: Repair B4: Replacement B5: Refurbishment B6: Integrated Operational Energy B6+: Other Operational Energy B7: Operational Water Use B7+: Other Operational Water C1: Deconstruction / Demolition C2: Transport of Waste Offsite C3: Waste Processing C4: Disposal D1: Operational Energy Exports D2: Closed Loop Recycling D3: Open Loop Recycling D4: Materials Energy Recovery D5: Direct Re-use |
Same as Legacy apart from the following changes: New reporting modules: A0 – Pre Construction Stage; B8 – User Utilisation (User activities not covered in B1-B7) New sub-modules for reporting: A5.1, A5.2, A5.3, A5.4, B1.1, B1.2, B4.1, B4.2, B6.1, B6.2, B6.3, B7.1, B7.2, B7.3, B8.1, B8.2 Updated modules: D1 – Benefits and Loads From Material Reuse, Recycling and Energy Recovery; D2 – Benefits and Loads From Exported Utilities (Energy and Water) For further details, please refer to this support post: Modeling Guidance for RICS WLCA – PS (2nd Edition) |
Same as Legacy apart from the following changes: New reporting module: B8 – User Utilisation (User activities not covered in B1-B7) Updated modules: D1 – Benefits and Loads From Material Reuse, Recycling and Energy Recovery; D2 – Benefits and Loads From Exported Utilities (Energy and Water) |
Same as Legacy apart from the following changes: New reporting module: B8 – User Utilisation (User activities not covered in B1-B7) Updated modules: D1 – Benefits and Loads From Material Reuse, Recycling and Energy Recovery; D2 – Benefits and Loads From Exported Utilities (Energy and Water) |
*Note: The different calculation standards do not restrict the selection of indicators. Although certain indicators are mandated by the standards, it is important to note that any indicator can be chosen under any calculation standard.
Related Posts:
