ReCiPe was developed in 2008 by RIVM, CML, PRé Consultants and the Radboud University Nijmegen on behalf of the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment.

ReCiPe is a method for the impact assessment (LCIA) in a LCA. Life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) translates emissions and resource extractions into a limited number of environmental impact scores by means of so-called characterisation factors.

Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a methodological tool used to quantitatively analyse the life cycle of products/activities within the context of environmental impact. In LCA, the total life cycle of a product or activity is considered, from the extraction of resource materials to the waste and waste treatment stage, also referred to as from the cradle to the grave. For this purpose, specific calculation tools are being applied.