Cut-off Criteria

This lecture covers the concept of defining system boundaries in life cycle assessment, emphasizing the importance of including processes contributing beyond a specified threshold. The instructor explains three rules for setting system boundaries, focusing on functional equivalence across scenarios and the significance of process contributions. Practical challenges in applying the cut-off criteria are discussed, highlighting the need for preliminary evaluation and informed exclusions based on experience. Various factors, such as mass, energy consumption, and pollutant emissions, are considered in determining the cut-off threshold. The lecture also addresses the complexities of screening processes and justifying exclusions based on established criteria.