Which term refers to analyzing a product's resource use over its lifetime?

• A. Life-cycle analysis
• B. Ecodesign
• C. Conductivity
• D. Ripple effect

Answer: (A)

Analyzing a product's resource use over its lifetime is about measuring what resources are used and what environmental impacts occur at every stage, from extracting raw materials to end-of-life disposal. This is exactly what a life-cycle analysis does: it inventories inputs like energy and materials, and outputs like emissions and waste, across all stages of the product's life. By looking at the whole life cycle, you can see where the most resources are consumed and where improvements will have the biggest effect, guiding decisions in design and manufacturing. For example, choosing lighter materials, more efficient production, or better recycling processes can reduce overall resource use. The other terms describe related ideas but not the analysis itself: ecodesign is a design approach aimed at reducing environmental impact, conductivity is a property of materials unrelated to lifecycle assessment, and ripple effect refers to indirect consequences in a system rather than a formal life-cycle evaluation.