Life cycle analysis (LCA) provides a standardised method that is based on a holistic view of a product over its life cycle. All input and output flows into and out of a product system (life cycle inventory) are analysed. The LCA is the essential basis for the creation of environmental product declarations (EPDs). Once the life cycle inventory has been recorded, the environmental impacts can be determined by means of modelling. 
The best-known environmental impact is the global warming potential. It describes the warming effect in the atmosphere of the gaseous greenhouse gases defined in the Kyoto Protocol.
The EPD is the central means of assessing the ecological performance of products for sustainable building certification. The well-known BNB, DGNB, LEED and BREEAM cert ...