LINA - Life Cycle Assessment tool
In June 2016, BRE Group launched a new online Life Cycle Assessment tool LINA, enabling companies and trade associations to assess their products in line with EN 15804, the European standard for the sustainability of construction products.
The standard considers the environmental impact of a product through its whole life from raw materials and manufacturing to application, use and disposal.
There is a growing need for product manufacturers to be more transparent about the environmental impacts of their products. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) has been part of the construction products industry for decades, with outputs delivered through Environmental Product Declarations (EPD). However, there have been questions relating to the ease of access to data and the resources required to conduct such studies.
Data from the LINA assessment can be submitted online for a BRE Global EPD stamp of approval which demonstrates that the underlying data and data handling on the product’s sustainability are consistently reliable.
Speaking at the launch event BRE’s Associate Director of Sustainable Products Dr Shamir Ghumra said: "EPD are now increasingly demanded by clients and specifiers on global development projects that use sustainability standards like BREEAM, CEEQUAL and the Home Quality Mark. EPD will also become a prerequisite of BIM (Building Information Modelling) as it gains market traction. We need to encourage more product manufacturers to get EPD and LINA is the catalyst not simply because it is compliant with the required standard but it also enables companies to generate the data required themselves thereby reducing costs."
LINA can also be used for product evaluations, product development, and internal benchmarking purposes. Its benefits are not limited to EPD; the update to ISO 14001 last year now places greater emphasis on life cycle perspective and the outputs of LINA can complement an existing Environmental Management System.
The LINA tool has been developed with IT software specialists PRe Sustainability.
For more information, see BRE LINA.
This article was originally published by BRE Group on 24 June 2016. You can see the original article here.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
Key points for construction at a glance with industry reactions.
Functionality, visibility and sustainability
The simpler approach to specification.
Architects, architecture, buildings, and inspiration in film
The close ties between makers and the movies, with our long list of suggested viewing.
SELECT three-point plan for action issued to MSPs
Call for Scottish regulation, green skills and recognition of electrotechnical industry as part of a manifesto for Scottish Parliamentary elections.
UCEM becomes the University of the Built Environment
Major milestone in its 106-year history, follows recent merger with London School of Architecture (LSE).
Professional practical experience for Architects in training
The long process to transform the nature of education and professional practical experience in the Architecture profession following recent reports.
A people-first approach to retrofit
Moving away from the destructive paradigm of fabric-first.
International Electrician Day, 10 June 2025
Celebrating the role of electrical engineers from André-Marie Amperè, today and for the future.
New guide for clients launched at Houses of Parliament
'There has never been a more important time for clients to step up and ...ask the right questions'
The impact of recycled slate tiles
Innovation across the decades.
EPC changes for existing buildings
Changes and their context as the new RdSAP methodology comes into use from 15 June.
Skills England publishes Sector skills needs assessments
Priority areas relating to the built environment highlighted and described in brief.
BSRIA HVAC Market Watch - May 2025 Edition
Heat Pump Market Outlook: Policy, Performance & Refrigerant Trends for 2025–2028.
Committing to EDI in construction with CIOB
Built Environment professional bodies deepen commitment to EDI with two new signatories: CIAT and CICES.
Government Grenfell progress report at a glance
Line by line recomendation overview, with links to more details.
An engaging and lively review of his professional life.
Sustainable heating for listed buildings
A problem that needs to be approached intelligently.
50th Golden anniversary ECA Edmundson apprentice award
Deadline for entries has been extended to Friday 27 June, so don't miss out!
CIAT at the London Festival of Architecture
Designing for Everyone: Breaking Barriers in Inclusive Architecture.
Mixed reactions to apprenticeship and skills reform 2025
A 'welcome shift' for some and a 'backwards step' for others.