Aiming for greater knowledge of the environmental impact on the life cycle of three of its products, EBP supported Hering in carbon and water life cycle assessment studies, also known as carbon footprint and water footprint (direct consumption).

The life cycle assessment (LCA) of a product represents the impact associated with its production chain, in relation to a certain environmental aspect. For Hering, this assessment was carried out for three products, in relation to carbon and water. Therefore, carbon and water footprints (direct consumption) were quantified.

There are two possible approaches to these types of studies:

• Cradle-to-gate: in this approach, impact accounting is carried out including the steps from the extraction of resources (inputs) to the point that the product leaves the organization that produces it;
• Cradle-to-grave: in this approach, impact accounting includes all stages of the evaluated product, from the extraction of resources (inputs) to its final destination as waste.

For evaluations of Hering products, the cradle-to-grave approach was considered. 

Stages evaluated for the product life cycle:

• Extraction and transportation of raw materials
• Processing
• Distribution
• Transport to the end consumer
• Use
• Final destination

The methodologies used for Life Cycle Assessment are present in the Brazilian standards NBR ISO 14040 – Environmental management – ​​Life cycle assessment – ​​Principles and Structure and NBR ISO 14044 – Environmental management – ​​Life cycle assessment – ​​requirements and guidelines; and the international standard PAS 2050.