The Impact Assessment module of the Life Cycle Assessment Network Ontology (LCAnet).
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The Impact Assessment module of the Life Cycle Assessment Network Ontology (LCAnet).

This version:
https://w3id.org/lcanet/ia/2.2.0
Latest version:
https://w3id.org/lcanet/ia#
Previous version:
2.1.0
Revision:
2.2.0
Issued on:
2026-05-20
Authors:
Fatima Danash, CEA List
Publisher:
https://www.cea.fr
Download serialization:
JSON-LD RDF/XML N-Triples TTL
License:
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Visualization:
Visualize with WebVowl
Cite as:
Danash, F., et al. (2026). LCAnet: A Modular Ontology Network for Life Cycle Assessment (Version 2.2.0).
Ontology Specification Draft

Abstract

LCAnet is a modular ontology network for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) designed to provide a unified semantic framework for representing LCA systems. It is composed of six interoperable modules covering key aspects of LCA modeling: the Core module, Activity module, Actor module, Property module, Spatiotemporal module, and Impact Assessment module. The Core module serves as the central backbone of the network by importing the other modules and establishing explicit semantic links across all components, enabling consistent representation and reasoning over LCA data.

Introduction back to ToC

LCAnet-Impact Assessment provides classes and properties that enable users to model environmental impact evaluation in Life Cycle Assessment. It represents impact categories, characterization models, methods, and impact results. The module formalises the assessment of environmental effects and is connected to activities and flows through the Core ontology, enabling structured impact interpretation.

Namespace declarations

Table 1: Namespaces used in the document
dc<http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/>
dcdcterms<http://purl.org/dc/dcterms/>
dcterms<http://purl.org/dc/terms/>
ia<https://w3id.org/lcanet/ia#>
owl<http://www.w3.org/2002/07/owl#>
qudt<http://qudt.org/schema/qudt#>
rdf<http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#>
rdfs<http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#>
swrl<http://www.w3.org/2003/11/swrl#>
swrlb<http://www.w3.org/2003/11/swrlb#>
vann<http://purl.org/vocab/vann/>
xml<http://www.w3.org/XML/1998/namespace>
xsd<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#>

LCAnet-ImpactAssessment: Overview back to ToC

This ontology has the following classes and properties.

Classes

Object Properties

Data Properties

Annotation Properties

SWRL Rules

LCAnet-ImpactAssessment: Description back to ToC

The Impact Assessment module is part of the LCAnet ontology proposed by the SmartACV Carnot Project. It provides a formal representation of impact assessment concepts, methods, and characterization factors, enabling the evaluation and quantification of environmental impacts within the LCA process of a product or service.

Cross-reference for LCAnet-ImpactAssessment classes, object properties and data properties back to ToC

This section provides details for each class and property defined by LCAnet-ImpactAssessment.

Classes

Air Pollution Footprintc back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://w3id.org/lcanet/ia#AirPollutionFootprint

Quantifies the release of airborne pollutants (e.g., particulate matter, photochemical ozone formation) over the life cycle of a product. AirPollutionFootprint is an ImpactResult associated with relevant environmental impact categories.
has super-classes
LCA Result c

Carbon Footprintc back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://w3id.org/lcanet/ia#CarbonFootprint

means the sum of greenhouse gas emissions and greenhouse gas removals in a product system, expressed as CO equivalents and based on a life cycle assessment using the single impact category of climate change. (ESPR Art 2 25))
has super-classes
LCA Result c

Characterization Factorc back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://w3id.org/lcanet/ia#CharacterizationFactor

Also called Impact factors, are factors that quantify the relative impact of different substances within the same category. These factors are used to convert the number of emissions into impact scores for each category.
is in domain of
calculated By CM op, quantifies ICI op
is in range of
calculates CF op, quantified By CF op
is disjoint with
Characterization Model c, Impact Category c, Impact Category Indicator c, LCA Result c, Method c, Methodology c, Overall Impact Result c

Characterization Modelc back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://w3id.org/lcanet/ia#CharacterizationModel

A characterization model provides a mathmetical framework, as a set of equations, to quantify an impact category based on the chosen method. Example: IPCC (2021). A characterization model is used by a method.
is in domain of
calculates CF op, used In Method op
is in range of
calculated By CM op, uses CM op
is disjoint with
Characterization Factor c, Impact Category c, Impact Category Indicator c, LCA Result c, Method c, Methodology c, Overall Impact Result c

Energy Footprintc back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://w3id.org/lcanet/ia#EnergyFootprint

Quantifies the total energy use associated with a product throughout its life cycle, including renewable and non-renewable sources. EnergyFootprint is a FlowResult linked to the Energy FlowType.
has super-classes
LCA Result c

Eutophication Footprintc back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://w3id.org/lcanet/ia#EutrophicationFootprint

Quantifies nutrient enrichment impacts (eutrophication) on freshwater, marine, or terrestrial ecosystems caused by a product during its life cycle. It aggregates relevant ImpactCategories.
has super-classes
LCA Result c

Impact Categoryc back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://w3id.org/lcanet/ia#ImpactCategory

An impact category represents a specific environmental issue that the LCA aims to assess, such as global warming or ozone depletion. Each category aggregates the effects of different emissions that contribute to the same environmental problem.
is in domain of
assessed By ICI op, imposed by Methodology op
is in range of
assess IC op, has Impact Category op, imposes IC op
is disjoint with
Characterization Factor c, Characterization Model c, Impact Category Indicator c, LCA Result c, Method c, Methodology c, Overall Impact Result c

Impact Category Indicatorc back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://w3id.org/lcanet/ia#ImpactCategoryIndicator

An impact category refers to a specific metric/measurable quantity that is used to quantify an impact category, such as Global Warming Potential (GWP) and Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP).
is in domain of
assess IC op, has Default Unit dp, quantified By CF op
is in range of
assessed By ICI op, quantifies ICI op
is disjoint with
Characterization Factor c, Characterization Model c, Impact Category c, LCA Result c, Method c, Methodology c, Overall Impact Result c

Land Footprintc back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://w3id.org/lcanet/ia#LandFootprint

Quantifies the occupation and transformation of land caused by a product throughout its life cycle. LandFootprint is an ImpactResult linked to the LandUse impact category.
has super-classes
LCA Result c

LCA Resultc back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://w3id.org/lcanet/ia#LcaResult

A LCA result corresponds to the computed value of each flow (or sometimes activity as a group of its input and output flows) concerning an impact category (IC). Thus, it is an entity that makes links to: a flow/activity (e.g. flat chip resistor), an exact value (e.g. 1,16E-03), and an impact category (e.g. climate change), indicating the participation of this flow/activity in the studied impact category issue.
has sub-classes
Air Pollution Footprint c, Carbon Footprint c, Energy Footprint c, Eutophication Footprint c, Land Footprint c, Material Footprint c, Ozone Depletion Footprint c, Toxicity Footprint c, Water Footprint c
is in domain of
contained In OIR op, has Impact Category op, numeric value dp
is in range of
contains Lca Result op
is disjoint with
Characterization Factor c, Characterization Model c, Impact Category c, Impact Category Indicator c, Method c, Methodology c

Material Footprintc back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://w3id.org/lcanet/ia#MaterialFootprint

refers to the total amount of raw materials extracted to meet final consumption demands. (ESPR Art 2 (26)).
has super-classes
LCA Result c

Methodc back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://w3id.org/lcanet/ia#Method

LCIA methods allow to transform raw emissions and resource data into understandable impact scores. Examples of methods include EN15804+A2, EF v3.1.
is in domain of
included In Methodology op, uses CM op
is in range of
includes Method op, used In Method op
is disjoint with
Characterization Factor c, Characterization Model c, Impact Category c, Impact Category Indicator c, LCA Result c, Overall Impact Result c

Methodologyc back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://w3id.org/lcanet/ia#Methodology

LCIA methodologies group related LCIA methods. A methodology (identified by an LCA expert for carrying out a specific LCA study), assesses some topic which is included in the scope of the LCA study.
is in domain of
imposes IC op, includes Method op
is in range of
imposed by Methodology op, included In Methodology op
is disjoint with
Characterization Factor c, Characterization Model c, Impact Category c, Impact Category Indicator c, LCA Result c, Overall Impact Result c

Overall Impact Resultc back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://w3id.org/lcanet/ia#OverallImpactResult

It corresponds to the sum of all LCA result values of all flows/activities in the studied LCA of a product X, regarding an impact category Y.
is in domain of
contains Lca Result op, has Impact Category op, numeric value dp
is in range of
contained In OIR op
is disjoint with
Characterization Factor c, Characterization Model c, Impact Category c, Impact Category Indicator c, Method c, Methodology c

Ozone Depletion Footprintc back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://w3id.org/lcanet/ia#OzoneDepletionFootprint

Quantifies the potential stratospheric ozone layer depletion caused by substances emitted by a product throughout its life cycle. It is an ImpactResult linked to the Ozone Depletion impact category.
has super-classes
LCA Result c

Toxicity Footprintc back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://w3id.org/lcanet/ia#ToxicityFootprint

Quantifies the potential human health and ecological toxicity impacts of a product over its life cycle. ToxicityFootprint aggregates relevant ImpactCategories such as Human Toxicity (cancer and non-cancer) and Ecotoxicity.
has super-classes
LCA Result c

Water Footprintc back to ToC or Class ToC

IRI: https://w3id.org/lcanet/ia#WaterFootprint

Quantifies the freshwater consumption associated with a product throughout its life cycle. WaterFootprint is a FlowResult linked to the Water FlowType.
has super-classes
LCA Result c

Object Properties

assess ICop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://w3id.org/lcanet/ia#assessIC

relates an ICI to the IC it assesses
has domain
Impact Category Indicator c
has range
Impact Category c
is inverse of
assessed By ICI op

assessed By ICIop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://w3id.org/lcanet/ia#assessedByICI

relates an IC to the ICI it is assessed by
has domain
Impact Category c
has range
Impact Category Indicator c
is inverse of
assess IC op

calculated By CMop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://w3id.org/lcanet/ia#calculatedByCM

relates a CF to the CM it is calculated by
has domain
Characterization Factor c
has range
Characterization Model c
is inverse of
calculates CF op

calculates CFop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://w3id.org/lcanet/ia#calculatesCF

relates a CM to the CF it calculates
has domain
Characterization Model c
has range
Characterization Factor c
is inverse of
calculated By CM op

contained In OIRop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://w3id.org/lcanet/ia#containedInOIR

relates a LCA result to the OIR it is contained in
has domain
LCA Result c
has range
Overall Impact Result c
is inverse of
contains Lca Result op

contains Lca Resultop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://w3id.org/lcanet/ia#containsLcaResult

relates a OIR to the LCA result it contains
has domain
Overall Impact Result c
has range
LCA Result c
is inverse of
contained In OIR op

has Impact Categoryop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://w3id.org/lcanet/ia#hasIC

relates a result to an impact category
has domain
LCA Result c or Overall Impact Result c
has range
Impact Category c

imposed by Methodologyop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://w3id.org/lcanet/ia#imposedByMethodology

relates an IC to the methodology it is imposed by
has domain
Impact Category c
has range
Methodology c
is inverse of
imposes IC op

imposes ICop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://w3id.org/lcanet/ia#imposesIC

relates a methodology to the IC it imposes
has domain
Methodology c
has range
Impact Category c
is inverse of
imposed by Methodology op

included In Methodologyop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://w3id.org/lcanet/ia#includedInMethodology

relates a method to the methodology it is included in
has domain
Method c
has range
Methodology c
is inverse of
includes Method op

includes Methodop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://w3id.org/lcanet/ia#includesMethod

relates a methodology to the method it includes
has domain
Methodology c
has range
Method c
is inverse of
included In Methodology op

quantified By CFop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://w3id.org/lcanet/ia#quantifiedByCF

relates an ICI to the CF it is quantified by
has domain
Impact Category Indicator c
has range
Characterization Factor c
is inverse of
quantifies ICI op

quantifies ICIop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://w3id.org/lcanet/ia#quantifiesICI

relates a CF to the ICI it quantifies
has domain
Characterization Factor c
has range
Impact Category Indicator c
is inverse of
quantified By CF op

used In Methodop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://w3id.org/lcanet/ia#usedInMethod

relates a CM to the method it is used in
has domain
Characterization Model c
has range
Method c
is inverse of
uses CM op

uses CMop back to ToC or Object Property ToC

IRI: https://w3id.org/lcanet/ia#usesCM

relates a method to the CM it uses
has domain
Method c
has range
Characterization Model c
is inverse of
used In Method op

Data Properties

has Default Unitdp back to ToC or Data Property ToC

IRI: https://w3id.org/lcanet/ia#hasDefaultUnit

ICI has deafult unit
has domain
Impact Category Indicator c
has range
string

numeric valuedp back to ToC or Data Property ToC

IRI: http://qudt.org/schema/qudt#numericValue

Is defined by
http://qudt.org/schema/qudt
has domain
LCA Result c or Overall Impact Result c

Annotation Properties

bibliographic Citationap back to ToC or Annotation Property ToC

IRI: http://purl.org/dc/dcterms/bibliographicCitation

creatorap back to ToC or Annotation Property ToC

IRI: http://purl.org/dc/terms/creator

dateap back to ToC or Annotation Property ToC

IRI: http://purl.org/dc/terms/date

descriptionap back to ToC or Annotation Property ToC

IRI: http://purl.org/dc/terms/description

has Versionap back to ToC or Annotation Property ToC

IRI: http://purl.org/dc/terms/hasVersion

issuedap back to ToC or Annotation Property ToC

IRI: http://purl.org/dc/dcterms/issued

issuedap back to ToC or Annotation Property ToC

IRI: http://purl.org/dc/terms/issued

licenseap back to ToC or Annotation Property ToC

IRI: http://purl.org/dc/terms/license

preferred Namespace Prefixap back to ToC or Annotation Property ToC

IRI: http://purl.org/vocab/vann/preferredNamespacePrefix

preferred Namespace Uriap back to ToC or Annotation Property ToC

IRI: http://purl.org/vocab/vann/preferredNamespaceUri

publisherap back to ToC or Annotation Property ToC

IRI: http://purl.org/dc/terms/publisher

titleap back to ToC or Annotation Property ToC

IRI: http://purl.org/dc/terms/title

SWRL rules

Rule #1back to ToC or SWRL ToC

has Impact Category op(?a,?c) , Impact Category c(?c) , contained In OIR op(?a,?o) , LCA Result c(?a) , Overall Impact Result c(?o) -> has Impact Category op(?o,?c)

Rule #2back to ToC or SWRL ToC

Impact Category c(?c) , has Impact Category op(?o,?c) , contained In OIR op(?a,?o) , LCA Result c(?a) , Overall Impact Result c(?o) -> has Impact Category op(?a,?c)

Legend back to ToC

c: Classes
op: Object Properties
dp: Data Properties

References back to ToC

Add your references here. It is recommended to have them as a list.
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Acknowledgments back to ToC

The authors would like to thank Silvio Peroni for developing LODE, a Live OWL Documentation Environment, which is used for representing the Cross Referencing Section of this document and Daniel Garijo for developing Widoco, the program used to create the template used in this documentation.