EDIP97 is a thoroughly documented midpoint approach covering most of the emission-related impacts, resource use and working environment impacts (Wenzel et al., 1997, Hauschild and Wenzel, 1998) with normalization based on person equivalents and weighting based on political reduction targets for environmental impacts and working environment impacts, and supply horizon for resources. Ecotoxicity and human toxicity are modeled using a simple key-property approach where the most important fate characteristics are included in a simple modular framework requiring relatively few substance data for calculation of characterization factors. Comparison of the use of EDIP97, CML 2001 and Eco-indicator 99 in Dreyer et al., 2003.
Update through EDIP2003 methodology (Hauschild and Potting, 2003, Potting and Hauschild, 2003) supporting spatially differentiated characterization modeling which covers a larger part of the environmental mechanism than EDIP97 and lies closer to a damage-oriented approach. This part of the general method development and consensus programme covers investigations of the possibilities for inclusion of exposure in the life cycle impact assessment of non-global impact categories (photochemical ozone formation, acidification, nutrient enrichment, ecotoxicity, human toxicity, noise).
Key Contact: Michael Hauschild - email: mic@ipl.dtu.dk