Missing representation of partly terminated systems and sub-dataset linkages in JSON-LD export

[changmillet]

When exporting processes from openLCA to JSON-LD, I encountered two related issues:

1. Process type mislabeling

• In openLCA, only unit process and system process can be chosen.
• If I select system process, the JSON-LD export sets "processType": "LCI_RESULT".
• However, my modeled dataset is actually a partly terminated system (i.e., not a full LCI result but a cut/partial system).
• JSON-LD currently provides no way to distinguish this case.

2. In ILCD, the schema provides two distinct mechanisms，JSON-LD currently has no equivalent fields:

• Complementing processes / referenceToComplementingProcess: indicates that a dataset is incomplete and needs other sub-datasets to become a full process. Must be used together with Identifier of sub-data set.
• Included data sets / referenceToIncludedProcesses: documents which sub-processes are already embedded within the dataset, to improve transparency of system boundaries.

3. Insufficient name decomposition

• JSON-LD provides only a single field ("name" or "baseName"), whereas ILCD distinguishes four separate components:

  • Base name (baseName): General descriptive name of the dataset and/or its main good(s), service(s), or function(s).
  • Treatment, standards, routes (treatmentStandardsRoutes): Technical specifications such as treatment received, standards fulfilled, production route, etc.
  • Mix and location types (mixAndLocationTypes): Information on whether the dataset represents a production mix, consumption mix, location type, or exclusions of life cycle stages.
  • Quantitative product or process properties (functionalUnitFlowProperties): Further specification of product/process characteristics.

• This means that when converting JSON-LD to ILCD, essential descriptive information cannot be mapped properly — the single "name" string cannot be reliably decomposed into the four distinct ILCD parts.

ILCD Processes Data Sechema: https://eplca.jrc.ec.europa.eu/LCDN/downloads/ILCD_Format_1.1_Documentation/ILCD_ProcessDataSet.html