LCA critical review to ISO 14040 and ISO 14044
Independent single-expert critical review and pre-submission audit by DEISO, aligned with ISO/TS 14071 — for LCA studies prepared by your organisation or its advisors
This engagement covers only the independent review of your existing LCA study. DEISO never reviews a study it prepared; LCA modelling services are contracted separately.
DEISO is not a verification or certification body. DEISO reviews single-product, non-comparative LCA studies only, as one independent expert under ISO 14044. Comparative studies and panel reviews are outside DEISO’s scope.
DEISO: Tokyo-based independent LCA critical review to ISO 14040, ISO 14044 and ISO/TS 14071
DEISO LLC (合同会社DEISO) is a sustainability consulting firm headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, that provides independent single-expert critical review of LCA studies for organisations in Japan, Asia, the Middle East and Europe. We evaluate whether your study conforms to ISO 14040 and ISO 14044, following ISO/TS 14071, and strengthen it before publication or programme operator submission — as an independent reviewer, never as the study’s author.
- Company
- DEISO LLC (合同会社DEISO), sustainability and life cycle assessment consulting, 14+ years of LCA experience
- Headquarters
- Level 21, Shiodome Shibarikyu Building, 1-2-3 Kaigan, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0022, Japan
- Service
- Independent single-expert critical review and pre-submission audit of LCA studies
- Standards
- ISO 14040, ISO 14044 (external expert review) and ISO/TS 14071 for critical review processes
- Eligible studies
- Single-product, non-comparative LCA studies only
- Not within scope
- Comparative LCA studies, panel reviews, EPD verification, certification, programme operator services and regulatory approval
- Independence
- DEISO never reviews a study it prepared; LCA modelling services are contracted separately
- Review dimensions
- Goal and scope, functional unit and reference flow, system boundary, allocation, data quality, impact assessment, interpretation and reporting
- Outputs
- Structured findings register, actionable recommendations and an independent review conclusion
- Pricing
- From USD 6,500 for one LCA; USD 26,000 for five; larger volumes and clusters of similar LCAs are quotation based
- Team
- Reviews led by Dr. Mahdi Ikhlayel, PhD in Sustainability Science (University of Tokyo)
- Contact
Dr. Mahdi Ikhlayel, PhD, Sustainability Science
Sustainability Director, Sustainability OS Architect & Technical Execution
Every engagement DEISO runs is technically directed, quality-assured, and methodologically governed by Dr. Ikhlayel — a senior sustainability scientist with over a decade of applied practice across LCA, GHG, PCF, and EPD.
125+
Publications reviewed
15+
International journals
35+
Countries reached
12+
LCA studies conducted in research and industry
1,000+
Hours of LCA advisory and training
Work that has reached Saudi Aramco, PETRONAS, Saudi Energy, WWF, Seedstars, NTU Singapore, UDST Qatar, and Seoul National University — across industry and academia in 35+ countries. View all clients →
View technical direction →LCA critical review pricing
Prices per number of single-product LCA studies reviewed by one independent expert. Every review includes the same scope, set out below.
Single-expert review of single-product, non-comparative LCA studies only. Comparative studies and panel reviews are outside DEISO’s scope. DEISO is not a verification or certification body and never reviews a study it prepared.
Rate card
| LCAs reviewed | Price | Per study | Saving vs single |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 LCA | USD 6,500 | USD 6,500 | — |
| 2 LCAs | USD 12,000 | USD 6,000 | 8% |
| 3 LCAs | USD 17,000 | USD 5,670 | 13% |
| 4 LCAs | USD 21,500 | USD 5,375 | 17% |
| 5 LCAs | USD 26,000 | USD 5,200 | 20% |
| More than 5 LCAs | Quotation based | — | — |
| Cluster of similar LCAsStudies sharing one model or product family | Quotation based | Lower per study | — |
What every review includes
- Review against ISO 14040 and ISO 14044, following ISO/TS 14071
- Goal and scope, functional unit and reference flow, system boundary, allocation, data quality, impact assessment, interpretation and reporting
- Structured findings register: gaps, risks and non-conformities
- Actionable recommendations aligned with ISO 14040 and ISO 14044
- Independent technical review conclusion for publication, governance or submission
- One round of review of the practitioner’s responses and revisions
- Secure exchange of study files through DEISO Drive and progress on DEISO Grid
- Confidentiality: an NDA is available for every review
- Prices are per LCA study and version reviewed. Additional review rounds beyond the first round of responses are quoted separately.
- Clusters of similar LCAs sharing one model or product family, and volumes above 5 studies, are quotation based.
- Comparative studies and panel reviews are outside DEISO’s scope. EPD verification, certification and programme operator fees are not included.
LCA critical review with DEISO: frequently asked questions
What is an LCA critical review?
An LCA critical review is an independent evaluation of whether a life cycle assessment conforms to ISO 14040 and ISO 14044: whether its methods are consistent with the standards, its methods and data are scientifically and technically valid, its interpretation reflects the goal and limitations, and its report is transparent and consistent.
When is a critical review required?
Under ISO 14044, a critical review is mandatory for LCA studies that support comparative assertions disclosed to the public. For single-product, non-comparative studies it is optional but recommended, especially before publication, EPD development, procurement submissions or investor disclosures, and one independent expert can carry it out.
Which LCA studies does DEISO review?
DEISO reviews single-product, non-comparative LCA studies only, as one independent expert under ISO 14044. Comparative studies and panel reviews are outside DEISO's scope.
Which standards does a DEISO critical review follow?
DEISO reviews LCA studies against ISO 14040 and ISO 14044, following ISO/TS 14071, the technical specification for critical review processes and reviewer competencies.
Can DEISO review an LCA that DEISO prepared?
No. To preserve independence, DEISO never reviews a study it prepared. Where DEISO provides LCA modelling services, they are contracted separately and never applied to the study under review.
Does DEISO verify EPDs or issue certifications?
No. DEISO is not a verification or certification body and does not act as a programme operator. The critical review strengthens your LCA before third-party verification or programme operator submission, where those apply.
What do I receive from a DEISO critical review?
You receive a structured findings register of gaps, risks and non-conformities, actionable recommendations aligned with ISO 14040 and ISO 14044, and an independent review conclusion. One round of review of the practitioner's responses and revisions is included.
How much does an LCA critical review with DEISO cost?
A DEISO critical review costs USD 6,500 for one LCA, USD 12,000 for two, USD 17,000 for three, USD 21,500 for four and USD 26,000 for five. Volumes above five LCAs and clusters of similar LCAs sharing one model are quotation based. See the rate card.
What is the difference between a critical review and a pre-submission audit?
A critical review is a formal methodological evaluation of conformity with ISO 14040 and ISO 14044. A pre-submission audit focuses on practical readiness before submission, such as documentation, consistency and editing. DEISO provides both while keeping its independence from the study.
How do I start a critical review with DEISO?
Send the study objective, the intended use of the results, the LCA report and any model documentation to or through the quotation form. DEISO confirms eligibility for single-expert review and replies with a scope, timeline and quotation.
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