ELCD core database version II
Enhanced and extended version with over 300 process data sets now online
The ELCD core database comprises Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) data from front-running EU-level business associations and other sources for key materials, energy carriers, transport, and waste management. Focus is laid on data quality, consistency, and applicability. The respective data sets are officially provided and approved by the named industry association; some data sets are still under preparation and will be added subsequently (see http://lca.jrc.ec.europa.eu/EPLCA/AdvisoryGroup.htm for the list of MoU-partner associations).
The data sets are accessible free of charge and without access or use restrictions for all LCA practitioners. The ELCD II includes data sets that have not been published beforehand and data sets that were only collected for this purpose. The data sets of the ELCD database will contribute key European data to the upcoming international ILCD Data Network, building upon the ILCD Handbook that will define the method, quality, nomenclature, review and documentation requirements for consistent and quality-assured LCI data. The ILCD Handbook is currently under public consultation and finalisation.
Bug-fixes
Some errors have been fixed in some of the data sets in the downloadable ELCD II database zip file (accessible from 26 June to 13 October 2009). For details follow the hyperlink inserted below. These errors will also be fixed asap in the files that are displayed in your web-browser when browsing the data sets online (via the menu entry "Browse and view"). Please do not use those figures but only the ones in the downloadable package:
- Relevant errors in non-parameterised transport data sets (Details see the bug-fix report of 13 October 2009
- At the same time the data sets for Liquid Packaging Board and for Beverage carton converting are erroneous and have been temporarily removed from the zip file. They will be replaced soon with corrected versions. In case you have previously downloaded the database that contains these erroneous two data sets (accessible online from 26 June to 13 October 2009) please do not use anymore these two data sets. Details will be provided here asap in a bug-fix report.
Data access and use
This section allows to view and to download the high quality Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) core data sets of this first version of the Commission's "European Reference Life Cycle Database" (ELCD core database), version II. They have been compiled in context of a service contract on behalf of DG Environment and in technical and scientific support by JRC-IES from early 2008 to early 2009.
In order to view the LCI data sets, please either choose from the "Browse and view" submenu, which you may find to the left, or use the "Search" form.
[Please note, that the main purpose of the ELCD core database is the integration into LCA tools and databases and that hence the possibilities to "work" with this system with your web-browser and on your hard disk is necessarily limited.]
You may download the ELCD core database as a complete package; see more below. The option to download only single data sets will be implemented at a later moment of time.
You may use all these data sets free of charge in your work and also distribute them to third parties. For more details please refer to the copyright and license conditions, which will be provided when downloading the data sets and which can equally be accessed directly from here.
Disclaimer: Please note that so far only internally reviewed and only partly harmonised LCI data sets are provided in this second version of the ELCD core database. All process data sets are carefully selected and in line with ISO 14040 and 14044, but are not to be considered as official reference data sets. The data sets are provided "as they are". A further methodological harmonisation and independent external review are foreseen as soon as the recommended methods and the review process will have been agreed as part of the International Reference Life Cycle Data System ILCD (foreseen to be available in late 2009); this will be announced here. Please also refer to the "Important legal notice" on top of this page.
Import into LCA software
Import/export interfaces to mayor LCA tools for data sets of the ILCD Data Network and in the ILCD format are expected to become available starting from late 2009 onwards. So far the developers of the tools and databases BRE EnvPro DB, CMLCA, EDIP, EIME, eVerdEE, DIM, GaBi, KCL-ECO, LCA Evaluator, LEGEP, MIPS, Sabento, SimaPro, Sirii/SPINE, TEAM/DEAM, trainEE, and UMBERTO have committed to make a full import and expert interface free of cost available to their customers soon. Please contact your tool developer for more information or in case your tool is not in the above list. If you are a developer of LCA databases or tools, please feel invited to contact us and also refer to the menu entry "Developer support".
ILCD format developer package
The development, documentation and publication of the ELCD data sets are supported by the related ILCD data set format that also serves as common data exchange format for the ILCD Data Network. An IT developer package of the new ILCD format will be made accessible shortly at http://lct.jrc.ec.europa.eu/eplca/deliverables/international-reference-life-cycle-data-system-ilcd-handbook, replacing the former ELCD format 1.0.1; please check.
Data set editor
A further developed Editor for ILCD formatted data sets that will allow the documentation and editing of LCA data sets is under preparation; it will replace the old ELCD editor. The new ILCD editor will also allow migrating ELCD 1.0.1 formatted data sets to the ILCD format. The old ELCD 1.0.1 editor is still accessible equally via http://lct.jrc.ec.europa.eu/eplca/deliverables/ilcd-supporting-tools .
Nomenclature and reference elementary flow, flow property and unit group data sets
The ILCD "Nomenclature and other conventions" document supports naming of among others elementary flows and underlying data objects, but also guides process data naming. It is further developed based on the first version developed 2005-2007 under the ELCD and considers stakeholder feedback and input received during the early stakeholder workshop of May 2007, the stakeholder consultation of late 2007 and subsequent discussions. It is accompanied by an Excel file and a database of ILCD formatted reference elementary flows, flow properties and unit groups and accessible on the page http://lct.jrc.ec.europa.eu/eplca/deliverables/international-reference-life-cycle-data-system-ilcd-handbook.
