Why updates happen
This article describes how a calculation tool for calculating environmental certifications or regulations is updated to reflect changes in its method. Environmental regulations and certification standards are constantly evolving. This means the tool used for calculations needs to be updated too.
Types of updates
Minor: Small tweaks to the calculations, easily integrated into the existing tool. You might need to re-save your project to see the updated results.
Major: Significant changes in the calculation method. Sometimes these can be integrated into the existing tool (but you'll likely need to re-save your project). Sometimes, a completely new version of the tool is required.
When a new tool version is needed
The data required for the calculation changes (e.g., compliance to a new version of a standard like EN15804+A2 is required).
New calculation elements are added (e.g., a new life-cycle stage is considered, or the way biogenic carbon is calculated changes).
How old versions are retired
The new tool is released to users.
Support for the old tool ends and the tool is marked "unsupported" to reflect this.
The "unsupported" old tool becomes "read-only" – you can edit existing projects, but not create new ones.
Users are encouraged to switch to the new tool.
The old tool is removed from the licenses.
Read more about unsupported calculation tools here: Unsupported Calculation Tools