Understanding Product Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and the EU Ecodesign Regulation for Sustainable Products

On March 26, 2025, KPMG’s ESG & Sustainability Consulting team hosted an insightful webinar addressing how to measure and minimize the environmental footprint of everyday products. This session is particularly timely due to emerging stringent EU regulations affecting companies across Europe, including domestic firms.

What is Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)?

The first portion of the webinar focused on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), a systematic method for evaluating environmental impacts associated with all stages of a product’s life—from raw material extraction through disposal. Experts Nina Mihajlović and Marijana Marjanović detailed key LCA steps, essential standards to comply with, and the significance of Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs).

Key Highlights on Environmental Product Declarations and Carbon Footprint

Participants learned practical methods for calculating a product’s carbon footprint and the role of EPDs in transparently communicating this impact. The speakers emphasized differences between emissions calculated at the organizational level versus the product level, underscoring the nuanced insights LCA can provide for sustainability strategies.

The EU Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation

The latter half delved into the newly introduced EU Ecodesign Regulation, which mandates sustainability requirements for product design to promote resource efficiency and reduce environmental harm. The session stressed the importance of the digital product passport—a crucial tool enabling traceability and accountability within the sustainable value chain.

Rising Importance and Industry Relevance

The webinar’s high engagement demonstrated growing interest and the practical urgency for businesses to adapt swiftly to evolving EU sustainability frameworks. This session marked the conclusion of KPMG’s inaugural series of online ESG seminars, reinforcing the demand for continued education on environmental governance.

About the Speakers

• Nina Mihajlović: Senior Manager, ESG & Sustainability Consulting, KPMG Serbia and Montenegro
• Marijana Marjanović: ESG & Sustainability expert with a focus on LCA and regulatory compliance

For companies seeking to align with EU sustainability targets, mastering LCA techniques and understanding the EU Ecodesign Regulation is essential. These frameworks not only facilitate compliance but also empower businesses to innovate sustainably and reduce their environmental footprint effectively.

For more insights on ESG and sustainable product strategies, visit KPMG Insights.

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