Introduction
Top 5 Best Software to Measure Life Cycle
What it Means to Measure the Life Cycle of a Product or Service
4 Key Benefits and Challenges of Using Software to Measure Life Cycle
5 Features a Good Life Cycle Software Must Have
Why Dcycle Is the ESG Solution You’re Looking For
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
These are the 5 best software tools to measure life cycle in 2025:
1. Dcycle
2. SimaPro
3. OpenLCA
4. Air.e LCA
5. GaBi
More and more UK companies are looking for the best software to measure life cycle because they’ve realised one essential truth: if you don’t measure it, you can’t improve it.
In a market where regulations, clients, and investors demand evidence, not having reliable data means having no real options.
Measuring the life cycle of your products or services lets you see exactly where the biggest impacts occur, where to reduce costs, and how to make smarter business decisions based on facts, not assumptions.
This isn’t just about compliance — it’s about staying competitive and being ready for what’s next.
In this article, we’ll look at which solutions truly work, what to consider before choosing, and why adopting life cycle measurement software in the UK is no longer something you can postpone.
More and more companies are looking for the best software to measure life cycle because they understand one key thing: if you don’t measure it, you can’t improve it.
And in an increasingly demanding environment, having no data means having no options.
Measuring the life cycle helps you clearly see where you're creating the most impact, where you can optimize costs, and how to make smarter decisions.
It’s not just about compliance, it’s about staying ahead.
In this article, we’ll show you which solutions truly work, what to keep in mind before choosing, and why this topic can’t stay on the "later" list anymore.
Choosing the right tool matters. Here are the 5 most powerful solutions to analyze the life cycle of products and processes.
Each one has its strengths, but all of them help you better understand your impact and make smarter choices.
Dcycle isn’t a specific LCA tool, and that’s exactly its advantage.
It’s a comprehensive ESG solution, designed for any company that wants to collect, manage, and distribute its sustainability data across all fronts: EINF, CSRD, Taxonomy, SBTi, ISOs, or whatever you need to report.
We’re not consultants or auditors. We’re a digital solution that gives you real visibility over your business impact, without the hassle.
You can upload all your ESG data in one place, identify critical points, automate reports, and make data-driven decisions, not gut-based ones.
And if you need to measure the life cycle, you can also do it within a broader and connected framework. Fewer tools, more control.
SimaPro is a widely used solution for technical and detailed life cycle analysis.
It includes robust databases and multiple calculation methodologies. Ideal for modeling complex processes.
It’s powerful, but it also requires specific knowledge to get the most out of it.
OpenLCA is an open-source option with great flexibility and customization.
It’s compatible with several databases and allows for detailed analysis without a license cost.
Perfect if you have an internal technical team and need autonomy.
Air.e LCA stands out for its practical approach and for enabling real-time life cycle analysis.
It features an agile interface and access to databases like Ecoinvent. Very useful for eco-design projects.
A good choice for teams looking for fast and actionable results.
GaBi is a very comprehensive solution for companies that need precise analysis and advanced modeling.
It has a large proprietary database and allows for adjusting models based on multiple variables.
It requires a learning curve, but it’s very solid technically.
Measuring the life cycle isn’t a trend. It’s about understanding from start to finish how what we produce, use, or sell impacts the world.
From raw material extraction to end of use, every phase leaves a mark. And if we don’t know it, we can’t improve it.
Can we relax? Not really. The pressure to measure and report is already here. And it’s only growing.
It used to be done out of conviction. Now it’s required by regulations, investors, and customers. And if you don’t measure, you fall behind.
Measuring the life cycle is a lever for efficiency and competitiveness. It’s not just an external demand, it’s also an internal advantage.
Companies already doing it make better decisions, save money, and avoid future problems.
The UK has become a key market for life cycle assessment (LCA) and environmental data management, with adoption expanding far beyond construction.
Companies in manufacturing, retail, and even finance are now using life cycle measurement tools to meet regulatory expectations and demonstrate credible sustainability performance.
The UK’s Net Zero Strategy and Environmental Act have accelerated the use of LCA-based methodologies, supported by broader initiatives such as the UK Green Taxonomy and the forthcoming transition plan requirements.
Since 2023, public procurement frameworks require suppliers to provide environmental evidence through EPDs (Environmental Product Declarations) or PAS 2050-compliant product carbon footprints.
The British Standards Institution (BSI) remains central with PAS 2050 for product carbon footprints and PAS 2080 for carbon management in infrastructure. These align closely with ISO 14040 and ISO 14044, ensuring that assessments carried out in the UK can be used internationally.
In the built environment, BREEAM, RICS Whole Life Carbon, and the Net Zero Building Standard have made life cycle measurement non-negotiable for new projects. Many developers must now demonstrate whole-life carbon calculations to obtain financing or planning approval.
Life cycle tools used in the UK must go beyond simple carbon measurement. They are expected to provide:
The trend is clear: LCA is no longer a standalone process. It is merging with ESG data management, helping companies link product performance with corporate reporting obligations.
Modern LCA software in the UK is now part of a broader digital sustainability ecosystem. The most advanced companies are:
By 2026, the UK is expected to align with the EU’s Digital Product Passport initiative, which requires life cycle and material composition data to be stored and shared digitally.
Software tools are already preparing for this shift, adding modules to connect EPD data, supply chain traceability, and product-level carbon metrics.
This means that life cycle measurement won’t stop at the report—it will form part of every product’s digital identity, allowing regulators, investors, and customers to verify sustainability claims in real time.
The future of life cycle measurement in the UK lies in automation, interoperability, and verification. Tools that connect LCA, ESG reporting, and digital compliance (CSRD, ISO, BREEAM) will dominate the market.
Companies that centralize their data now will be ready for the next phase of sustainability regulation—where data traceability, digital reporting (XBRL/EPD XML), and cross-framework alignment become standard.
In short, the UK is not just adopting life cycle software—it is redefining how sustainability data flows across the entire value chain, transforming compliance into an engine for innovation, efficiency, and market differentiation.
With a digital solution, you can clearly see where the critical points in your process are.
That helps you prioritize and not waste time on things that have no real impact.
Going with assumptions is expensive. Measuring properly gives you the evidence to act smart.
And if you need to justify decisions, you’ve already got data-backed support.
Reducing impact almost always means improving efficiency. And that ends up cutting costs.
From raw materials to logistics, the savings opportunities are there. You just have to find them.
Regulations are changing and becoming stricter. If you measure today, you report tomorrow without headaches.
And if you also have all your data centralized, you can adapt to any format you’re asked for.
Many get stuck at the first step. What data do I collect? What methodology do I use? Without clarity, there’s no action.
A digital solution guides you step by step. It helps organize information and gets you started without getting lost.
Having info spread across a thousand places is classic. And when it’s time to report, chaos kicks in.
A good software centralizes everything. You connect it once and everything flows: updated, traceable data, ready for whatever you need.
Not all companies have sustainability or life cycle experts.
A well-designed tool does the heavy lifting. It automates calculations, generates reports, and lets your team focus on what matters.
Not all tools are created equal. If you’re going to invest in a solution, make sure it truly works. Here’s what it must include:
If you’re already collecting ESG data or preparing reports, don’t think twice.
Having a digital solution saves you time, mistakes, and money. What used to take you weeks, now you can do in minutes.
Still using spreadsheets and endless emails? Then yes, you're already late.
Dcycle isn’t an LCA software, it’s much more. It’s a complete solution to manage your sustainability with strategic vision.
We collect all your ESG data and distribute it automatically to the use cases you need: EINF, CSRD, ISOs, Taxonomy, SBTi, without duplicating work.
We’re not consultants or auditors. We provide a clear, simple, and automated platform so you can measure, manage, and communicate your impact without depending on third parties.
You can also calculate your carbon footprint (at product or corporate level), automate reports, and track your improvement plans all in one place.
Dcycle lets you make decisions based on real data. Because if you don’t measure, you don’t improve. And if you don’t improve, you don’t compete.
Carbon footprint focuses on greenhouse gas emissions.
Life cycle, on the other hand, analyzes the entire environmental impact of a product or service, not just emissions.
Both approaches are complementary. One tells you what, the other tells you where and how.
Yes. But be careful, not all of them do. The important thing is that it lets you upload your own data and adjust to your real operations.
At Dcycle, we don’t work with generic templates. We adapt the solution to what you already do, without reinventing the wheel.
It depends on the solution, but the most common are:
ISO 14040/44, ISO 14067, PAS 2050, and GHG Protocol
What matters is that they are recognized methodologies and that the software lets you track them at all times.
No, but doing it without a tool makes everything harder.
More errors, more time, more chaos when it’s time to report.
If you’re already collecting ESG data, a digital solution gives you real control and gets you ready for any regulation.
The first step is to identify the key stages of your product or service.
From raw material to end use, where is the most impact being generated?
From there, define what data you need and start measuring. With a solution like Dcycle, that path becomes much clearer.
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Carbon footprint calculation analyzes all emissions generated throughout a product’s life cycle, including raw material extraction, production, transportation, usage, and disposal.
The most recognized methodologies are:
Digital tools like Dcycle simplify the process, providing accurate and actionable insights.
Some strategies require initial investment, but long-term benefits outweigh costs.
Investing in carbon reduction is not just an environmental action, it’s a smart business strategy.
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