Direct applications of product life cycle assessment in circular economy

Purpose: The purpose of the article is to analyse the possibilities of using life cycle assessment in circular economy. Direct applications of LCA are being considered, including product development and improvement, strategic planning, public policy making and marketing. Design/methodology/approach: Literature research of the subject was carried out. Findings: The possibilities and challenges of applying LCA were indicated. This methodology, in accordance with the provisions of the new circular economy action plan, is becoming increasingly important. Practical implications: A comparison of two or more products in terms of environmental impacts in the life cycle, desired by both companies and customers (in both business-to-business and business-to-client relations), is also difficult to do at the same time. First of all, it requires the use of uniform analytical assumptions. The article contains tips on how to solve this problem. Particular hopes can be associated with the implementation of the environmental footprint being developed by the European Commission. Social implications: The LCA can make a valuable contribution to public policy formulation because it allows policymakers to take into account potential unintended environmental consequences that otherwise cannot be predicted. Originality/value: An analysis of applying LCA was made in relation to the new circular economy action plan (issued in March 2020). Great emphasis was placed on the quantitative approach to the results obtained, which determines the relevance of the article.