Submitting data to the ecoinvent database version 3

(You can find the following text as a pdf-File here !)

The new data submission system of the ecoinvent centre makes submitting data to the ecoinvent database a straightforward and fast process. The submission of data to ecoinvent also offers many advantages to the data suppliers. For example, during the submission process, all data receive a thorough free review by our experienced, independent editors. The data submission process is structured in the following way:
  

1. Dataset author creates the submission file

• First, the author must of course gather the necessary data, consisting of process inputs, outputs and emissions. Ecoinvent datasets should be consistent, transparent and on a unit process level. Very often, such data already exists and there is interest to integrate them into ecoinvent.
   
  
• Authors can then download the free EcoEditor software from the ecoinvent web-site to create the submission file.
   
  
• The data collection process needs to be documented and literature sources referenced in the dataset documentation. Here you can find a short manual for the "right" documentation.
   
  
• During these steps, the author is supported by the ecoinvent online documentation, the data quality guidelines and ecoinvent editors.
    
  
• The EcoEditor software can then be directly used to submit the dataset to ecoinvent. Copyright remains with the author, data are only submitted with the non-exclusive right to use (see below).
    
  

 2. The submission goes through the free editorial process

• The dataset is first reviewed by an independent expert in the corresponding field to maintain quality and check for errors or inconsistencies within the dataset.
    
  
• Then, a minimum of two cross-cutting editors review the dataset for consistency with the rest of the database. For example, there are editors for certain data fields, emission types and different countries and regions.
   
  
• Comments and requests for corrections are directly loaded to the author’s EcoEditor installation, where they can be viewed and answered case by case.
    
  
• Once all editors are satisfied, the dataset is accepted for publication.
    
  

3. Further steps after acceptance

• The dataset will be included in the next release of the ecoinvent database, where it will be used by thousands of sustainability experts.
   
  
• The author is visible in the dataset and has the option to remain an “active author”, meaning that interested users may contact the author with questions or suggestions.
    
  

The main objective of the ecoinvent database is to be a reliable and transparent source of background Life Cycle Inventory data. To fulfil the requirements of our users, all submissions should be a description of a unit process, usually understood to be an independent process or activity that transforms a given input into an output of products or services. Examples of unit processes are the growing of crops from seeds, transporting a good from one place to another, synthesizing a chemical from different inputs, constructing a building or treating waste water.

As the ecoinvent database is primarily used as a background database, submissions should usually aim to be average technology descriptions of activities for a given area – e.g. copper production in a certain country – instead of representing only a single production site. Note that single site conditions may sometimes be used to approximate the average situation if that is judged to be acceptable.

During the submission process, submitters will be asked to grant the ecoinvent centre the non-exclusive right to use the dataset. All copyrights to the submitted data remain with with the authors of the dataset. The exact text of this agreement follows:

"I confirm to hold the copyright to the uploaded data and to be entitled to dispose of these copyrights. I hereby transfer the non-exclusive right of use of the uploaded data to the ecoinvent Centre for publication in the ecoinvent database, including but not limited to the right to publish, republish, transmit, sell, distribute, modify, change, complete and otherwise use the contributed dataset in electronic and print form and in derivative works throughout the world, in all languages, and to license or permit others to do so. This transfer of non-exclusive right of use cannot be withdrawn without a full payment of compensation to the ecoinvent Center to cover damages or a replacement of the withdrawn data. I maintain the right to use the transferred data for my own scientific work as well as to use it with third parties on a non-exclusive basis, including for commercial purposes."
  

If you are interested in the possibility of providing data to the ecoinvent database, don't hesitate to contact us at support(at)ecoinvent.org.