Textile Exchange has released a crucial new position paper, Ensuring Integrity in the Use of Life Cycle Assessment Data, urging the fashion, textile, and apparel sectors to adopt responsible practices when utilizing Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) data.
The paper, which outlines best practices for LCA data usage, emphasizes not only how LCA data should be employed but also how it should not be used. It is designed to assist brands and stakeholders who either directly use LCA data or rely on it for impact modeling and progress tracking.
Key recommendations highlighted in the position paper include:
- Thorough Understanding of LCA Data: Brands and organizations are urged to use LCA data only when there is a comprehensive understanding of the key assumptions, methods, and use cases. It is recommended that all assumptions, methodological decisions, limitations, and datasets be fully documented to ensure transparency.
- Avoiding Comparisons Between Incompatible Data: The paper cautions against comparing LCA data across different fiber or material categories (e.g., natural vs. synthetic fibers), geographies, separate LCA studies, or different industry databases, as they may apply varying methodologies and assumptions.
- Adopting an LCA+ Approach: Textile Exchange encourages the industry to consider an “LCA+” approach, which includes evaluating additional impact areas such as biodiversity, soil health, animal welfare, and livelihoods.
The report also covers the following areas:
- Understanding LCA: The position paper explains the definition, purpose, and steps involved in conducting an LCA study.
- Challenges and Limitations: It discusses the challenges and limitations associated with using LCA in the textile industry.
- Textile Exchange’s Commitment to LCA Studies: The organization is currently running seven LCA studies across different material types and regions globally, with plans to include LCA+ criteria where relevant.
These LCA studies will be released between the end of 2025 and 2027 in the following order:
- Cotton (organic, conventional, regenerative practices, and recycled) – Q4 2025
- Cashmere – Q4 2025
- Responsible Mohair Standard (RMS) mohair – Q4 2025
- Polyester (recycled and virgin) – Q4 2025
- Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) wool – Q2 2026
- Leather (bovine, ovine, and caprine) – Q5 2026
- Nylon – Q2 2027
This paper is a part of Textile Exchange’s ongoing efforts to improve the impact data available across the textile supply chain and ensure greater integrity in the use of LCA data.
