A critical review of criticality methods for a European Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment

The beginning of the 21st century is marked by fourth industrial revolution, which could be a great opportunity for sustainable technological transformation. key role these technologies in development more future implies need evaluation and monitoring both supply risks as well environmental social impacts number raw materials chain. These that are important to economy might under risk referred Critical Raw Materials (CRMs) EU. integration Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment (LCSA) - established sustainability Criticality (CA) – increasingly used governance tool therefore consequent support decision-making regarding efficient use those natural resources. Based on critical review CA methods within outside framework an LCSA, this research aimed investigate compatibility with life-cycle approach. range from specific methodologies (e.g., NRC (USA) EC-CA (EU)) existing integrating LCSA ESSENZ GeoPolRisk). was based set criteria acceptance credibility) further analysis frameworks ISO 14040-44 UNEP-SETAC. current challenges field identified, namely: interpretation criticality three pillars (social, economic or environmental); incompatibility among inventories characterization material’s criticality; arbitrariness what “critical”; uncertainty intrinsic models. Potential solutions towards operationalization indicators product-oriented include definition impact pathway linkage product/technological flows, intermediate (supply importance), at normalization weighting step, addressing uncertainties LCSA. Further works will explore proposed.