ISO 14046

Environmental management

Water footprint — Principles, requirements and guidelines

First edition 2014-08-01

This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.

Our visionTo be the world’s leading provider of high quality, globally relevant International Standards through its members and stakeholders.

Our missionISO develops high quality voluntary International Standards that facilitate international exchange of goods and ser-vices, support sustainable and equita-ble economic growth, promote innova-tion and protect health, safety and the environment.

Our processOur standards are developed by experts all over the world who work on a volunteer or part-time basis. We sell International Standards to recover the costs of organ-izing this process and making standards widely available.

Please respect our licensing terms and copyright to ensure this system remains independent.

If you would like to contribute to the devel-opment of ISO standards, please contact the ISO Member Body in your country:

www.iso.org/iso/home/about/iso_members.htm

This document has been prepared by:ISO/TC 207, Environmental management, Subcommittee SC 5, Life cycle assessment

Committee members:ABNT, AENOR, AFNOR, ANSI, ASI, BDS, BIS, BPS, BSI, BSN, CODINORM, COPANIT, DGN, DIN, DS, DSM, DTR, EOS, IMANOR, INN, INTECO, IPQ, IRAM, ISS, JISC, KATS, KEBS, LIBNOR, LNCSM, MCCAA, MSB, MSZT, NBN, NC, NEN, PKN, SA, SABS, SAC, SARM, SAZ, SCC, SFS, SIS, SLSI, SN, SNV, SNZ, SPRING SG, TISI, UNBS, UNI, UNIT, UNMZ (P-members)

CI, EC, ECOS (Europe), EuropaBio, FAO, IAI, ICMM, IDF, INLAC, SETAC, WBCSD, WFN, World Steel Association, WRI (A-liaisons).

This list reflects contributing members at the time of publication.

Cover photo credit: ISO/CS, 2014

Copyright protected document

All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, or posting on the internet or intranet, with-out prior permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester:

© ISO 2014, Published in Switzerland

ISO copyright office Case postale 56 • CH-1211 Geneva 20 Tel. +41 22 749 01 11 Fax. +41 22 749 09 47 E-mail copyright@iso.org Web www.iso.org

2 © ISO 2014 – All rights reserved

This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.

Executive summary— This International Standard specifies principles, requirements and guidelines related to water footprint assessment of products, processes and organizations based on life cycle assessment.— This International Standard provides transparency, consistency, reproducibility and credibility for assessing and reporting the water footprint of products, processes or organizations.— A water footprint assessment identifies potential environmental impacts related to water, identifies quantity of water use and changes in water quality, includes relevant geographical and temporal dimensions, utilizes hydrological knowledge and is modular.— A water footprint assessment can assist in assessing the magnitude of potential environmental impacts related to water, in identifying opportunities to reduce water related potential environmental impacts, in strategic risk management related to water, in facilitating water efficiency and optimization of water management, in informing decision-makers of potential environmental impacts related to water, and in providing consistent and reliable information, based on scientific evidence for reporting water footprint results.— A water footprint assessment can be conducted and reported as a stand-alone assessment, or as part of a comprehensive life cycle assessment of all environmental impacts.

3

ISO 14046:2014

© ISO 2014 – All rights reserved

This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.

4

ISO 14046:2014

Contents Page

Executive summary ........................................................................................................................................................................................3Foreword ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................7Introduction ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................81 Scope ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 102 Normative references ............................................................................................................................................................ 103 Termsanddefinitions ........................................................................................................................................................... 10

3.1 Terms relating to types and classifications of water .....................................................................103.2 Terms relating to water ..........................................................................................................................................123.3 Terms relating to life cycle assessment and water footprint assessment ...................133.4 Terms relating to interpretation and reporting of water footprint results ...............163.5 Terms relating to products, product systems, processes and organizations............163.6 Terms relating to data and data quality ...................................................................................................18

4 Principles ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 194.1 General ..................................................................................................................................................................................194.2 Life cycle perspective ...............................................................................................................................................194.3 Environmental focus .................................................................................................................................................204.4 Relative approach and functional unit .......................................................................................................204.5 Iterative approach .......................................................................................................................................................204.6 Transparency ...................................................................................................................................................................204.7 Relevance ............................................................................................................................................................................204.8 Completeness ..................................................................................................................................................................204.9 Consistency .......................................................................................................................................................................204.10 Accuracy ...............................................................................................................................................................................204.11 Priority of scientific approach ..........................................................................................................................204.12 Geographical relevance ...........................................................................................................................................214.13 Comprehensiveness ...................................................................................................................................................21

5 Methodological framework ............................................................................................................................................. 215.1 General requirements ..............................................................................................................................................215.2 Goal and scope definition .....................................................................................................................................225.3 Water footprint inventory analysis ..............................................................................................................275.4 Water footprint impact assessment .............................................................................................................335.5 Interpretation of the results ...............................................................................................................................375.6 Limitations of water footprint ..........................................................................................................................38

6 Reporting ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 396.1 General ..................................................................................................................................................................................396.2 Additional requirements and guidance for third-party reports ..........................................396.3 Comparative assertion and comparative studies .............................................................................42

7 Critical review ............................................................................................................................................................................... 437.1 General ..................................................................................................................................................................................437.2 Need for critical review ..........................................................................................................................................437.3 Critical review by internal or external expert .....................................................................................447.4 Critical review by panel of interested parties .....................................................................................44

Annex A (normative) Additional requirements and guidelines for organizations .................... 45Bibliography ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 47

© ISO 2014 – All rights reserved

This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.

This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.

This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.

Foreword

ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of elec-trotechnical standardization.

The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further main-tenance are described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for the different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).

Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not constitute an endorsement.

For an explanation on the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions related to con-formity assessment, as well as information about ISO’s adherence to the WTO principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see the following URL: Foreword - Supplementary information

The committee responsible for this document is Technical Committee ISO/TC 207, Environmental management, Subcommittee SC 5, Life cycle assessment.

7

ISO 14046:2014

© ISO 2014 – All rights reserved

This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.

Our visionTo be the world’s leading provider of high quality, globally relevant International Standards through its members and stakeholders.

Our missionISO develops high quality voluntary International Standards that facilitate international exchange of goods and ser-vices, support sustainable and equita-ble economic growth, promote innova-tion and protect health, safety and the environment.

Our processOur standards are developed by experts all over the world who work on a volunteer or part-time basis. We sell International Standards to recover the costs of organ-izing this process and making standards widely available.

Please respect our licensing terms and copyright to ensure this system remains independent.

If you would like to contribute to the devel-opment of ISO standards, please contact the ISO Member Body in your country:

www.iso.org/iso/home/about/iso_members.htm

This document has been prepared by:ISO/TC 207, Environmental management, Subcommittee SC 5, Life cycle assessment

Committee members:ABNT, AENOR, AFNOR, ANSI, ASI, BDS, BIS, BPS, BSI, BSN, CODINORM, COPANIT, DGN, DIN, DS, DSM, DTR, EOS, IMANOR, INN, INTECO, IPQ, IRAM, ISS, JISC, KATS, KEBS, LIBNOR, LNCSM, MCCAA, MSB, MSZT, NBN, NC, NEN, PKN, SA, SABS, SAC, SARM, SAZ, SCC, SFS, SIS, SLSI, SN, SNV, SNZ, SPRING SG, TISI, UNBS, UNI, UNIT, UNMZ (P-members)

CI, EC, ECOS (Europe), EuropaBio, FAO, IAI, ICMM, IDF, INLAC, SETAC, WBCSD, WFN, World Steel Association, WRI (A-liaisons).

This list reflects contributing members at the time of publication.

Cover photo credit: ISO/CS, 2014

Copyright protected document

All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, or posting on the internet or intranet, with-out prior permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester:

© ISO 2014, Published in Switzerland

ISO copyright office Case postale 56 • CH-1211 Geneva 20 Tel. +41 22 749 01 11 Fax. +41 22 749 09 47 E-mail copyright@iso.org Web www.iso.org

2 © ISO 2014 – All rights reserved

This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.

Executive summary— This International Standard specifies principles, requirements and guidelines related to water footprint assessment of products, processes and organizations based on life cycle assessment.— This International Standard provides transparency, consistency, reproducibility and credibility for assessing and reporting the water footprint of products, processes or organizations.— A water footprint assessment identifies potential environmental impacts related to water, identifies quantity of water use and changes in water quality, includes relevant geographical and temporal dimensions, utilizes hydrological knowledge and is modular.— A water footprint assessment can assist in assessing the magnitude of potential environmental impacts related to water, in identifying opportunities to reduce water related potential environmental impacts, in strategic risk management related to water, in facilitating water efficiency and optimization of water management, in informing decision-makers of potential environmental impacts related to water, and in providing consistent and reliable information, based on scientific evidence for reporting water footprint results.— A water footprint assessment can be conducted and reported as a stand-alone assessment, or as part of a comprehensive life cycle assessment of all environmental impacts.

3

ISO 14046:2014

© ISO 2014 – All rights reserved

This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.

4

ISO 14046:2014

Contents Page

Executive summary ........................................................................................................................................................................................3Foreword ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................7Introduction ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................81 Scope ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 102 Normative references ............................................................................................................................................................ 103 Termsanddefinitions ........................................................................................................................................................... 10

3.1 Terms relating to types and classifications of water .....................................................................103.2 Terms relating to water ..........................................................................................................................................123.3 Terms relating to life cycle assessment and water footprint assessment ...................133.4 Terms relating to interpretation and reporting of water footprint results ...............163.5 Terms relating to products, product systems, processes and organizations............163.6 Terms relating to data and data quality ...................................................................................................18

4 Principles ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 194.1 General ..................................................................................................................................................................................194.2 Life cycle perspective ...............................................................................................................................................194.3 Environmental focus .................................................................................................................................................204.4 Relative approach and functional unit .......................................................................................................204.5 Iterative approach .......................................................................................................................................................204.6 Transparency ...................................................................................................................................................................204.7 Relevance ............................................................................................................................................................................204.8 Completeness ..................................................................................................................................................................204.9 Consistency .......................................................................................................................................................................204.10 Accuracy ...............................................................................................................................................................................204.11 Priority of scientific approach ..........................................................................................................................204.12 Geographical relevance ...........................................................................................................................................214.13 Comprehensiveness ...................................................................................................................................................21

5 Methodological framework ............................................................................................................................................. 215.1 General requirements ..............................................................................................................................................215.2 Goal and scope definition .....................................................................................................................................225.3 Water footprint inventory analysis ..............................................................................................................275.4 Water footprint impact assessment .............................................................................................................335.5 Interpretation of the results ...............................................................................................................................375.6 Limitations of water footprint ..........................................................................................................................38

6 Reporting ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 396.1 General ..................................................................................................................................................................................396.2 Additional requirements and guidance for third-party reports ..........................................396.3 Comparative assertion and comparative studies .............................................................................42

7 Critical review ............................................................................................................................................................................... 437.1 General ..................................................................................................................................................................................437.2 Need for critical review ..........................................................................................................................................437.3 Critical review by internal or external expert .....................................................................................447.4 Critical review by panel of interested parties .....................................................................................44

Annex A (normative) Additional requirements and guidelines for organizations .................... 45Bibliography ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 47

© ISO 2014 – All rights reserved

This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.

This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.

This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.

Foreword

ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of elec-trotechnical standardization.

The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further main-tenance are described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for the different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).

Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not constitute an endorsement.

For an explanation on the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions related to con-formity assessment, as well as information about ISO’s adherence to the WTO principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see the following URL: Foreword - Supplementary information

The committee responsible for this document is Technical Committee ISO/TC 207, Environmental management, Subcommittee SC 5, Life cycle assessment.

7

ISO 14046:2014

© ISO 2014 – All rights reserved

This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.

Our visionTo be the world’s leading provider of high quality, globally relevant International Standards through its members and stakeholders.

Our missionISO develops high quality voluntary International Standards that facilitate international exchange of goods and ser-vices, support sustainable and equita-ble economic growth, promote innova-tion and protect health, safety and the environment.

Our processOur standards are developed by experts all over the world who work on a volunteer or part-time basis. We sell International Standards to recover the costs of organ-izing this process and making standards widely available.

Please respect our licensing terms and copyright to ensure this system remains independent.

If you would like to contribute to the devel-opment of ISO standards, please contact the ISO Member Body in your country:

www.iso.org/iso/home/about/iso_members.htm

This document has been prepared by:ISO/TC 207, Environmental management, Subcommittee SC 5, Life cycle assessment

Committee members:ABNT, AENOR, AFNOR, ANSI, ASI, BDS, BIS, BPS, BSI, BSN, CODINORM, COPANIT, DGN, DIN, DS, DSM, DTR, EOS, IMANOR, INN, INTECO, IPQ, IRAM, ISS, JISC, KATS, KEBS, LIBNOR, LNCSM, MCCAA, MSB, MSZT, NBN, NC, NEN, PKN, SA, SABS, SAC, SARM, SAZ, SCC, SFS, SIS, SLSI, SN, SNV, SNZ, SPRING SG, TISI, UNBS, UNI, UNIT, UNMZ (P-members)

CI, EC, ECOS (Europe), EuropaBio, FAO, IAI, ICMM, IDF, INLAC, SETAC, WBCSD, WFN, World Steel Association, WRI (A-liaisons).

This list reflects contributing members at the time of publication.

Cover photo credit: ISO/CS, 2014

Copyright protected document

All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, or posting on the internet or intranet, with-out prior permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester:

© ISO 2014, Published in Switzerland

ISO copyright office Case postale 56 • CH-1211 Geneva 20 Tel. +41 22 749 01 11 Fax. +41 22 749 09 47 E-mail copyright@iso.org Web www.iso.org

2 © ISO 2014 – All rights reserved

This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.

Executive summary— This International Standard specifies principles, requirements and guidelines related to water footprint assessment of products, processes and organizations based on life cycle assessment.— This International Standard provides transparency, consistency, reproducibility and credibility for assessing and reporting the water footprint of products, processes or organizations.— A water footprint assessment identifies potential environmental impacts related to water, identifies quantity of water use and changes in water quality, includes relevant geographical and temporal dimensions, utilizes hydrological knowledge and is modular.— A water footprint assessment can assist in assessing the magnitude of potential environmental impacts related to water, in identifying opportunities to reduce water related potential environmental impacts, in strategic risk management related to water, in facilitating water efficiency and optimization of water management, in informing decision-makers of potential environmental impacts related to water, and in providing consistent and reliable information, based on scientific evidence for reporting water footprint results.— A water footprint assessment can be conducted and reported as a stand-alone assessment, or as part of a comprehensive life cycle assessment of all environmental impacts.

3

ISO 14046:2014

© ISO 2014 – All rights reserved

This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.

4

ISO 14046:2014

Contents Page

Executive summary ........................................................................................................................................................................................3Foreword ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................7Introduction ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................81 Scope ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 102 Normative references ............................................................................................................................................................ 103 Termsanddefinitions ........................................................................................................................................................... 10

3.1 Terms relating to types and classifications of water .....................................................................103.2 Terms relating to water ..........................................................................................................................................123.3 Terms relating to life cycle assessment and water footprint assessment ...................133.4 Terms relating to interpretation and reporting of water footprint results ...............163.5 Terms relating to products, product systems, processes and organizations............163.6 Terms relating to data and data quality ...................................................................................................18

4 Principles ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 194.1 General ..................................................................................................................................................................................194.2 Life cycle perspective ...............................................................................................................................................194.3 Environmental focus .................................................................................................................................................204.4 Relative approach and functional unit .......................................................................................................204.5 Iterative approach .......................................................................................................................................................204.6 Transparency ...................................................................................................................................................................204.7 Relevance ............................................................................................................................................................................204.8 Completeness ..................................................................................................................................................................204.9 Consistency .......................................................................................................................................................................204.10 Accuracy ...............................................................................................................................................................................204.11 Priority of scientific approach ..........................................................................................................................204.12 Geographical relevance ...........................................................................................................................................214.13 Comprehensiveness ...................................................................................................................................................21

5 Methodological framework ............................................................................................................................................. 215.1 General requirements ..............................................................................................................................................215.2 Goal and scope definition .....................................................................................................................................225.3 Water footprint inventory analysis ..............................................................................................................275.4 Water footprint impact assessment .............................................................................................................335.5 Interpretation of the results ...............................................................................................................................375.6 Limitations of water footprint ..........................................................................................................................38

6 Reporting ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 396.1 General ..................................................................................................................................................................................396.2 Additional requirements and guidance for third-party reports ..........................................396.3 Comparative assertion and comparative studies .............................................................................42

7 Critical review ............................................................................................................................................................................... 437.1 General ..................................................................................................................................................................................437.2 Need for critical review ..........................................................................................................................................437.3 Critical review by internal or external expert .....................................................................................447.4 Critical review by panel of interested parties .....................................................................................44

Annex A (normative) Additional requirements and guidelines for organizations .................... 45Bibliography ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 47

© ISO 2014 – All rights reserved

This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.

This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.

This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.

Foreword

ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of elec-trotechnical standardization.

The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further main-tenance are described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for the different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).

Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not constitute an endorsement.

For an explanation on the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions related to con-formity assessment, as well as information about ISO’s adherence to the WTO principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see the following URL: Foreword - Supplementary information

The committee responsible for this document is Technical Committee ISO/TC 207, Environmental management, Subcommittee SC 5, Life cycle assessment.

7

ISO 14046:2014

© ISO 2014 – All rights reserved

This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.

Our visionTo be the world’s leading provider of high quality, globally relevant International Standards through its members and stakeholders.

Our missionISO develops high quality voluntary International Standards that facilitate international exchange of goods and ser-vices, support sustainable and equita-ble economic growth, promote innova-tion and protect health, safety and the environment.

Our processOur standards are developed by experts all over the world who work on a volunteer or part-time basis. We sell International Standards to recover the costs of organ-izing this process and making standards widely available.

Please respect our licensing terms and copyright to ensure this system remains independent.

If you would like to contribute to the devel-opment of ISO standards, please contact the ISO Member Body in your country:

www.iso.org/iso/home/about/iso_members.htm

This document has been prepared by:ISO/TC 207, Environmental management, Subcommittee SC 5, Life cycle assessment

Committee members:ABNT, AENOR, AFNOR, ANSI, ASI, BDS, BIS, BPS, BSI, BSN, CODINORM, COPANIT, DGN, DIN, DS, DSM, DTR, EOS, IMANOR, INN, INTECO, IPQ, IRAM, ISS, JISC, KATS, KEBS, LIBNOR, LNCSM, MCCAA, MSB, MSZT, NBN, NC, NEN, PKN, SA, SABS, SAC, SARM, SAZ, SCC, SFS, SIS, SLSI, SN, SNV, SNZ, SPRING SG, TISI, UNBS, UNI, UNIT, UNMZ (P-members)

CI, EC, ECOS (Europe), EuropaBio, FAO, IAI, ICMM, IDF, INLAC, SETAC, WBCSD, WFN, World Steel Association, WRI (A-liaisons).

This list reflects contributing members at the time of publication.

Cover photo credit: ISO/CS, 2014

Copyright protected document

All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, or posting on the internet or intranet, with-out prior permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester:

© ISO 2014, Published in Switzerland

ISO copyright office Case postale 56 • CH-1211 Geneva 20 Tel. +41 22 749 01 11 Fax. +41 22 749 09 47 E-mail copyright@iso.org Web www.iso.org

2 © ISO 2014 – All rights reserved

This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.

Executive summary— This International Standard specifies principles, requirements and guidelines related to water footprint assessment of products, processes and organizations based on life cycle assessment.— This International Standard provides transparency, consistency, reproducibility and credibility for assessing and reporting the water footprint of products, processes or organizations.— A water footprint assessment identifies potential environmental impacts related to water, identifies quantity of water use and changes in water quality, includes relevant geographical and temporal dimensions, utilizes hydrological knowledge and is modular.— A water footprint assessment can assist in assessing the magnitude of potential environmental impacts related to water, in identifying opportunities to reduce water related potential environmental impacts, in strategic risk management related to water, in facilitating water efficiency and optimization of water management, in informing decision-makers of potential environmental impacts related to water, and in providing consistent and reliable information, based on scientific evidence for reporting water footprint results.— A water footprint assessment can be conducted and reported as a stand-alone assessment, or as part of a comprehensive life cycle assessment of all environmental impacts.

3

ISO 14046:2014

© ISO 2014 – All rights reserved

This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.

4

ISO 14046:2014

Contents Page

Executive summary ........................................................................................................................................................................................3Foreword ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................7Introduction ...........................................................................................................................................................................................................81 Scope ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 102 Normative references ............................................................................................................................................................ 103 Termsanddefinitions ........................................................................................................................................................... 10

3.1 Terms relating to types and classifications of water .....................................................................103.2 Terms relating to water ..........................................................................................................................................123.3 Terms relating to life cycle assessment and water footprint assessment ...................133.4 Terms relating to interpretation and reporting of water footprint results ...............163.5 Terms relating to products, product systems, processes and organizations............163.6 Terms relating to data and data quality ...................................................................................................18

4 Principles ........................................................................................................................................................................................... 194.1 General ..................................................................................................................................................................................194.2 Life cycle perspective ...............................................................................................................................................194.3 Environmental focus .................................................................................................................................................204.4 Relative approach and functional unit .......................................................................................................204.5 Iterative approach .......................................................................................................................................................204.6 Transparency ...................................................................................................................................................................204.7 Relevance ............................................................................................................................................................................204.8 Completeness ..................................................................................................................................................................204.9 Consistency .......................................................................................................................................................................204.10 Accuracy ...............................................................................................................................................................................204.11 Priority of scientific approach ..........................................................................................................................204.12 Geographical relevance ...........................................................................................................................................214.13 Comprehensiveness ...................................................................................................................................................21

5 Methodological framework ............................................................................................................................................. 215.1 General requirements ..............................................................................................................................................215.2 Goal and scope definition .....................................................................................................................................225.3 Water footprint inventory analysis ..............................................................................................................275.4 Water footprint impact assessment .............................................................................................................335.5 Interpretation of the results ...............................................................................................................................375.6 Limitations of water footprint ..........................................................................................................................38

6 Reporting ............................................................................................................................................................................................ 396.1 General ..................................................................................................................................................................................396.2 Additional requirements and guidance for third-party reports ..........................................396.3 Comparative assertion and comparative studies .............................................................................42

7 Critical review ............................................................................................................................................................................... 437.1 General ..................................................................................................................................................................................437.2 Need for critical review ..........................................................................................................................................437.3 Critical review by internal or external expert .....................................................................................447.4 Critical review by panel of interested parties .....................................................................................44

Annex A (normative) Additional requirements and guidelines for organizations .................... 45Bibliography ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 47

© ISO 2014 – All rights reserved

This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.

This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.

This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.

Foreword

ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of elec-trotechnical standardization.

The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further main-tenance are described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular the different approval criteria needed for the different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www.iso.org/directives).

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www.iso.org/patents).

Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not constitute an endorsement.

For an explanation on the meaning of ISO specific terms and expressions related to con-formity assessment, as well as information about ISO’s adherence to the WTO principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see the following URL: Foreword - Supplementary information

The committee responsible for this document is Technical Committee ISO/TC 207, Environmental management, Subcommittee SC 5, Life cycle assessment.

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ISO 14046:2014

© ISO 2014 – All rights reserved

This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.This is a preview of "ISO 14046:2014". Click here to purchase the full version from the ANSI store.