Consultant and Enterprise subscribers are subject to software Access Fees for any project in eTool that is for commercial gain. Only Specialist/Specialist Hotseat subscribers have this fee waived.

Why does eTool charge an access fee? The fees are for the complete use of eTool software, including all LCA/LCC features associated with your subscription level, development of new features, software maintenance & life cycle inventory data. We also offer our unique certification service without additional charge. Software access fee is paid before you start a new project for commercial gain.

I don’t need Certification, can I skip the fee? The short answer is no as the fee covers more than just the certification. If you intend to publish your results for commercial purpose, our Terms of Service stipulate that you must get your work certified before doing so. Going through the process will give you confidence that you have used the software correctly and that your study is of a high quality.

From day one, eTool recognised the importance of comparable and accurate results flowing from our software. ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards for LCA call for all studies to be verified by a third party, therefore it made sense for us to include this certification service in the Access Fee as we understand the inner workings of the software which is important for an LCA verification. It also provides us with a revenue model that doesn’t require large upfront fees since the project budget is no longer a key factor in commissioning an LCA, thus allowing the proliferation of affordable LCAs and lower impact buildings.

The certification process involves support for the users conducting the LCA by way of coaching them on the use of the software to report and build an audit trail of changes in the model. It is an interactive process to ensure that the work not only meets required standards but also gains the most value out of engaging with Life Cycle Design. If you require more in depth coaching or mentoring for your project prior to submitting your work for certification review, you should consider our Advanced Support package.

How is the fee calculated? Access Fees will vary depending on project size and type. For a more accurate fee figure specific for your project please request a quote. More information on the different subscriptions can be found here.

Additional information can be found at the eTool Services Specification, Project Licenses and Project Certification sections of eTool Software Use Terms and Conditions.

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