Maria Erixon

System for Integrated Business Environmental Information Management

Abstract By making use of current business information technology, such as Internet-accessible tools, and industrial environmental management tools, standards, policies and legislation an information system for environmental information management has been designed. The system is named Integrated Business Environmental Information Management (IBEIM), and it includes operational, procedural and organisational support for a business’ entire environmental information management. IBEIM consists of a system architecture and an information and data content. The system architecture is designed from three thoroughly developed information models, i.e. a reference model for information aggregation and communication, an information model for data structuring, and a modularization including module interface specifications. The content is stored in a common information platform, and includes, for example, a structured knowledge system. IBEIM efficiently supports and integrates environmental information management for Environmental Management Systems (EMS) tools, LCA and other environmental process modelling tools, and Design for Environment (DfE) tools. With this system, integration communication and reports are handled in a consistent and compatible way all through an organisation of any size. IBEIM is also designed for supply chain communication.

OMNIITOX concept model supports characterisation modelling for life cycle impact assessment

Goal Scope BackgroundThe main focus in OMNIITOX is on characterisation models for toxicological impacts in a life cycle assessment (LCA) context. The OMNIITOX information system (OMNIITOX IS) is being developed primarily to facilitate characterisation modelling and calculation of characterisation factors to provide users with information necessary for environmental management and control of industrial systems. The modelling and implementation of operational characterisation models on eco and human toxic impacts requires the use of data and modelling approaches often originating from regulatory chemical risk assessment (RA) related disciplines. Hence, there is a need for a concept model for the data and modelling approaches that can be interchanged between these different contexts of natural system model approaches. Methods. The concept modelling methodology applied in the OMNIITOX project is built on database design principles and ontological principles in a consensus based and iterative process by participants from the LCA, RA and environmental informatics disciplines. Results. The developed OMNIITOX concept model focuses on the core concepts of substance, nature framework, load, indicator, and mechanism, with supplementary concepts to support these core concepts. They refer to the modelled cause, effect, and the relation between them, which are aspects inherent in all models used in the disciplines within the scope of OMNIITOX. This structure provides a possibility to compare the models on a fundamental level and a language to communicate information between the disciplines and to assess the possibility of transparently reusing data and modelling approaches of various levels of detail and complexity.ConclusionsThe current experiences from applying the concept model show that the OMNIITOX concept model increases the structuring of all information needed to describe characterisation models transparently. From a user perspective the OMNIITOX concept model aids in understanding the applicability, use of a characterisation model and how to interpret model outputs.Recommendations and OutlookThe concept model provides a tool for structured characterisation modelling, model comparison, model implementation, model quality management, and model usage. Moreover, it could be used for the structuring of any natural environment cause-effect model concerning other impact categories than toxicity.