An independent second opinion on your LCA, before it goes public
ISO 14040 / 14044 critical review of LCA studies intended for comparative assertions, public disclosure or regulatory submission.
- ISO 14040
- ISO 14044
Typical timeline: Typically 2 to 6 weeks, depending on study scope and document quality.
A critical review is the independent expert review required by ISO 14044 whenever an LCA is used to make a comparative assertion disclosed to the public, and is good practice for any LCA that will be publicly disclosed. The review assesses whether the methods used are scientifically and technically valid, whether the data is appropriate and reasonable, whether the interpretation reflects the limitations of the study, and whether the report is transparent and consistent.
It is distinct from EPD verification: here the subject is the LCA study itself, its method, data and conclusions, rather than a declaration built on top of it. Reviews can be carried out by a single independent expert or by a panel of interested parties, depending on the intended use.
The deliverable
- 1A documented review against the requirements of ISO 14044 clause 6.
- 2A reviewer's report listing findings, observations and recommendations.
- 3A statement of conformance once findings are addressed.
How an LCA Critical Review project runs
- 01
Scope
We agree the review type, single expert or panel, and confirm independence from the original study team.
- 02
Data collection
We obtain the full study, inventory, model and supporting documentation.
- 03
Review
We assess method, data, interpretation and reporting against ISO 14040/14044, raising structured comments.
- 04
Resolution
We work through comments with the study authors and record the responses transparently.
- 05
Reporting
We issue the critical review report and statement, ready to accompany the study or claim.
Common questions
A critical review examines an LCA study and its conclusions against ISO 14040/14044. EPD verification checks that a declaration conforms to ISO 14025 and the relevant PCR. The reviews ask different questions of different documents.
ISO 14044 requires a critical review whenever an LCA is used to support a comparative assertion that is disclosed to the public.
It depends on the intended use. Public comparative assertions often call for an interested-party panel; many studies are well served by a single independent expert. We advise on the right level.
Other services
- Life Cycle AssessmentA full, standards-aligned study of your product's environmental impact across its life cycle, from raw materials to end of life.
- Environmental Product DeclarationA verified, comparable, programme-operator-format Type III declaration you can publish, share with customers and submit to tenders.
- EPD VerificationIndependent third-party verification of EPDs and the underlying LCA. Conflict-free, by qualified verifiers.
- Greenhouse Gas ReportingOrganisational and product-level GHG accounting across Scope 1, 2 and 3, to inform decarbonisation strategy and meet disclosure requirements.
Ready to make your environmental claim defensible?
Send us a few details about your product and the standard or programme operator you need to meet. We'll come back within one working day with scope, indicative timeline and price.
- Phone
- 020 8058 9253