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Minutes of the Certification Criteria Committee - 7 January 2008

The committee met by phone. Present were: Mark Binder, Amy Costello, Mike Levy, Rita Schenck and Bo Weidema.

The committee reviewed the latest list of learning objectives and made several changes:

• All reference to particular software or tools is converted to neutral language
• General knowledge of the existence of standards to be moved into the general information
• We will add knowledge of the differences between EIO and Process LCA and their hybrids in the LCI section
• Mass and energy balances to be added to both the LCI and data quality areas

We discussed non-LCA specific requirements and agreed that candidates should have knowledge of General Chemistry, Statistics, Environmental toxicology, Systems analysis/dynamics and Economics. These requirements can be met one of three ways: through transcripts showing these classes, through proof of an engineering, natural science or agronomic degree, or through proof of on the job experience.

We discussed the criteria for the expert level of LCA professional, and agreed again that the topics of knowledge should not change, but that proof of experience is required. Initial discussions suggest that

• 5 years LCA experience
• Several peer-reviewed LCAs
• Managing LCAs
• Teaching LCA
• Reviewing LCAs

Might all be acceptable. More discussion is needed.

One of the next tasks is to identify mechanisms to prove knowledge. Rita will take the edited list of learning objectives and add suggested verification mechanisms. Amy will work with Rita on the editing. We will discuss these verification mechanisms at our next meeting.

The most important thing for the committee to do now is to look at the learning objectives and see if anything is missing. Please ask your colleagues to do the same.

Rita will be making suggesting for dates for our next meeting.