Do you know about Social Life Cycle Assessment?

You may already be familiar with LCA (life cycle assessment), a method used to evaluate the environmental impacts of a product, service or activity across its entire life cycle. But have you come across SLCA, or social life cycle assessment?

Beyond the environment: the social dimension matters too

An increasing number of organisations are now looking beyond their environmental footprint to consider the social, societal and socio-economic impacts of their products and operations.
This broader perspective provides a more comprehensive understanding of how decisions resonate across the life cycle nd across society.

That is precisely what social life cycle assessment (SLCA) seeks to achieve.
This standardised framework (ISO 14075) offers a structured way to assess social footprints, measuring the social and socio-economic effects of a product, service or project throughout its value chain.

Addressing a wide range of human issues

SLCA encompasses many interconnected topics, including:

• working conditions
• respect for the rights of local communities
• user health and safety
• socio-economic repercussions
• animal welfare
• access to education, among others

Its ultimate purpose is to strengthen an organisation’s social performance and, ultimately, to enhance the wellbeing of all stakeholders.

SLCA can also help you meet your due-diligence obligations, by embedding the human dimension at the heart of strategic decision-making.

Used as a decision-support tool, it enables you to anticipate and manage the potential effects of your choices on the people involved at every stage of your product’s life cycle.

At EVEA, expertise dedicated to social footprints

At EVEA, a team of specialists is dedicated to social footprint assessment, supporting organisations in evaluating and improving their social performance.

Together with Monika MOUSAVI, Social Footprints Consultant at EVEA, discover in this short video what a social life cycle assessment truly entails, and how it can transform your approach to sustainability.

🎥 Watch the video
 

For further insight, visit our web page dedicated social footprints, or discover this article on eco-social design.