Reference quantities and units
Definitions
Distinguish three quantity levels: the dataset's reference product quantity, elementary flow quantities in cumulative LCI, and LCIA results. Their units are respectively reference product units, elementary flow units and category indicator units. These quantities and units are not interchangeable.
The standard reference flow and this site's reference product quantity field are different concepts. See model catalog column definitions for field values and preservation of original quantities.
Fields
The table links definitions in the two representations. XLSX column names are not API field names.
| Quantity level | XLSX definition | API definition |
|---|---|---|
| Reference product | Reference Product Amount / Unit | referenceProduct.amount / referenceProduct.unit |
| Cumulative elementary flows | Not included in public catalog files; see public scope | Cumulative LCI result fields |
| LCIA results | Not included in public catalog files; see public scope | LCIA result fields |
Missing values
See Known gaps for field coverage in release catalogs. The API's cumulative LCI unit convention is documented under result fields. Read missing values according to the applicable representation; do not interpret them as zero.