These Guidelines have been developed by OICA (International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers) and CLEPA (European Association of Automotive Suppliers) to provide a common understanding and practical guidance on the application of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to passenger cars and automotive parts. They are intended to facilitate a common basis among industry stakeholders and to support dialogue between industry, authorities and other relevant stakeholders regarding the calculation and interpretation of automotive carbon footprints.

Automotive LCA is a complex assessment that relies on evolving methodologies, assumptions and data from multiple stakeholders across global supply chains. The Guidelines therefore reflect the current state of industry knowledge and experience and are intended to evolve as methodologies, data availability and best practices develop. They may be subject to future updates, refinements and further interpretation as experience with their application increases. They are intended to support informed discussions and facilitate convergence where appropriate, while recognising the methodological challenges and uncertainties inherent to LCA.
OICA recognises the increasing global development and use of automotive LCA and the importance of greater international alignment in approaches to automotive carbon footprint calculation and the life-cycle inventory databases. This is also reflected in the work of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). Under the ITC Strategy on Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Inland Transport, the Inland Transport Committee are taking action to support its Contracting Parties in achieving the aspirational goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions from inland transport by 2050. The ITC Climate Action Plan identifies, among its actions, the development of a globally harmonised methodology to determine the carbon footprint of vehicles from cradle-to-grave by 2025 through Working Party GRPE. Unfortunately, GRPE has not been able to deliver this action item.

These Guidelines are intended as non-binding industry guidance. OICA does not support the use of LCA as a direct regulatory tool for setting requirements or limits for vehicles or automotive products. The Guidelines should therefore not be interpreted as establishing, endorsing or recommending an LCA-based regulatory framework. Their purpose is to provide guidance for voluntary industry applications and stakeholder discussions.

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