Environmental supply-chain management versus life cycle analysis (LCA) method Eco-Indicator '95: a relative business perspective versus an absolute environmental perspective

Abstract

This paper presents the concept of environmental quality related to the supply chain of an original equipment manufacturer (OEM). This concept embodies an environmental performance tool, which generates a relative normalized environmental performance per supplier. Such a performance can be integrated into the supply-chain strategy related to eco-supplier development and contracting. This business approach is compared with LCA Method Eco-Indicator '95, which generates an absolute environmental load per kilogram produced printed board related to different environmental effects. Both approaches have been applied at production facilities of printed board suppliers. Based on research results, both approaches are discussed and advantages and disadvantages are shown.