EcoSpold Data Format

EcoSpold is a common data exchange format used for life cycle inventory data and life cycle impact assessment methods. It is based on XML (eXtended Markup Language) and related technologies (XSL, XSLT, Schema). The format is fully ISO/TS 14048 compliant.

The data format was developed within the ecoinvent projects. Meanwhile it became the most widespread, complete and working LCI data exchange format worldwide. All leading LCA software tools implemented the EcoSpold data format interface to enable easy importing and partly also editing and exporting of EcoSpold datasets.

The EcoSpold format is used in ecoinvent internal applications as well. The administration tool, the editor tool and the server tool use this format for the exchange of data, both amongst each other as well as with other applications.

The publicly accessible applications EcoQuery and EcoSpoldAccess also support and use EcoSpold.

Data exchange format (EcoSpold) (zipped, 25kB)

The data exchange format lists all data fields available for the documentation of a single data set (LCI raw data and meta information of a unit process) and specifies the expected content. It takes pattern from the international SPOLD 99 data exchange format and has been adapted to the ISO Technical Specification ISO 14048.