The first version of the BAFU:2026 LCI database is now available on Nexus — continuing the Swiss Federal Administration’s commitment to keeping life cycle inventory data current and openly accessible.
What’s new in BAFU:2026 v1
New and updated datasets in the construction sector
Several update projects have been completed targeting specific construction sub-sectors, including construction machinery and infrastructure, heat pumps, cement, and reinforcing steel.
Enhanced file for openLCA users
The zolca file has been improved: the list of elementary flows is now restricted to only those used within the BAFU:2026 database itself. This ensures consistency when developing new datasets based on it — a practical improvement for openLCA users working with custom processes.
Minor corrections
A number of datasets have been slightly modified to address mistakes and inconsistencies flagged by the user community, with contributions directly improving data quality.
Datasets change log
A dedicated change log file is included in the documentation package, allowing users to track exactly which datasets have been created, updated, corrected, or renamed between versions.
Database content
The release ships with four components:
- LCIA results — pre-calculated results for IPCC 2021, Ecological Scarcity 2021 (UBP2021), and Environmental Footprint 3.1 (EF 3.1)
- Documentation — LCI reports and accompanying documentation
- EcoSpold1 files — The original LCI dataset files for use in compatible software
- openLCA database — A ready-to-use .zolca file for direct import into openLCA
Users can download the database from openLCA Nexus: https://nexus.openlca.org/database/BAFU
The database is free of charge. Acceptance of the terms of use is required — no resale, and source citation is mandatory: Database of the Swiss Federal Administration, BAFU:2026, Federal Office for the Environment, 2026.