Methodology
The GFLI database consists of the LCA of raw materials from various regions in the world. To ensure the quality and standardization of the data, GFLI formed a FAO-LEAP and EU-PEF compliant methodology with the following inclusions to the dataset. The system boundary is cradle-to-farm gate for cultivated products, which includes all life cycle stages up to the delivery of the feed to the farm, as well as feed mill operations and logistics; and a system boundary from cradle-to-processing gate for processed products, including the transport to processing plant and its processing. With three allocations at co-production, which are economic, mass dry matter, and energy content and supporting 15 impact categories, the database allows meaningful environmental assessment of animal nutrition products and stimulate continuous improvement of the environmental performance in the animal nutrition and food industry. GFLI’s methodology is built on four reference documents to adhere to globally standardized guidelines of FAO and EU standards, namely the FAO LEAP feed guidelines (2016), LEAP feed additives guidelines (2020), Feed PEF database methodology (2017), and Feed PEFCR (2018).
Procedures for data-in projects
Participating in GFLI and the database is possible through different ways. The most prominent one is GFLI’s data-in projects,
- Regional focus: data or methodology represents (sub)states, (a) country (ies) and/ or region(s).
- Sectoral focus: any selection of feed ingredients or technology represented by a sector. Full market coverage is not a criterion, but it should be made clear which fraction of the market is covered by the data and how these data are better in terms of data quality than the data in existing GLFI processes.
- Branded focus: the technology and environmental performance of the supply chain is specific for a certain brand (company specific product or scheme).
The steps necessary for the focus are explained further in the procedure document.